Munster make one change for URC quarter-final away to Bulls at Loftus Versfeld
Clayton McMillan has named a near-unchanged Munster side for Saturday's URC quarter-final against the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria, with Alex Nankivell the only new face as he partners Seán O'Brien in midfield.
Munster travel to Loftus Versfeld on Saturday for a URC quarter-final against the Vodacom Bulls, with head coach Clayton McMillan making just one change to the side that beat the Lions to secure a fifth-place finish in the regular season. Alex Nankivell comes into the starting XV, slotting alongside Seán O’Brien in midfield.
The back three of Mike Haley, Andrew Smith and Shane Daly remains intact, while Craig Casey and JJ Hanrahan continue as the first-choice half-back pairing. Casey captains the side.
The pack is entirely unchanged from the Lions victory. Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Michael Ala’alatoa form the front row, with Tom Ahern and Evan O’Connell continuing in the second row.
Munster face a significant challenge in Pretoria, where the Bulls have been one of the URC’s most dominant sides throughout the season. The trip to South Africa represents one of the sternest tests McMillan’s squad has faced, and the near-total continuity in selection suggests the coaching staff are backing the same formula that delivered their play-off berth.
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