With the Ireland contingent back at his disposal, Munster head coach Anthony Foley has made nine changes from the team that lost to Cardiff Blues last weekend ahead of Friday night’s GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Zebre Rugby. Donnacha Ryan makes his 100th GUINNESS PRO12 appearance and starts alongside Tommy O'Donnell, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo with Conor Murray and CJ Stander among the replacements. Stephen Archer made his first start in the front row after a long-term neck injury, alongside Dave Kilcoyne and Niall Scannell There are new partnerships in the half-backs with Tomas O’Leary and Johnny Holland, and in midfield where Earls joins Rory Scannell. Foley said: “I’ve come across (Zebre head coach) Gianluca Guidi on a number of occasions, a lovely man and a great coach. “He has gone into Zebre this year and has implemented a good structure around the team. “They have a very good pack and in the backs they have great internationals in the likes of Luke Burgess from Australia, Kelly Haimona the Italian out-half and of course Mils Muliaina. “That gives them a lot of rugby intellect from one to 15. They work the ball across the pitch and play to their strengths.” Zebre have lost their last five GUINNESS PRO12 matches and their sole victory over an Irish province came in September 2014 with a 13-6 victory over Ulster. But, ahead of the trip to Thomond Park, Zebre have nine Italy internationals back with them. In addition, flanker Jean Cook and centre Tommaso Boni return to the starting line-up after injury, while Bruno Postiglioni and Matteo Pratichetti are fit enough to be named among the replacements. Zebre team manager Andrea De Rossi said: “Their defeat in Cardiff last Saturday will have wounded the team, and at the moment they are out of the play-offs. “We expect a very hot environment and we will have to do battle for 80 minutes. “We have analyzed the last match in Belfast: from there we have to start trying to release more up front, keep the score close and improve some defensive situations that went so well earlier in the season. “Static phases of the scrum and lineout remain two key points for us but, even in these respects, we must be more incisive and take advantage of every opportunity that we create.” At Thomond Park, 7pm. Live on TG4 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 60th competition game) Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Helen O’Reilly (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice To buy tickets for the GUINNESS PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12.
