Munster head coach Anthony Foley has decided to give four players their Pro 12 debut against the Ospreys on Sunday afternoon. Australian second row Mark Chisholm goes straight into the team after he was granted a work permit earlier this week. Kiwi duo Francis Saili and Tyler Bleyendaal also get their chance to shine, as does 19 year old academy player Stephen Fitzgerald.
Munster give new boys a chance against Ospreys
Foley has made eight changes in all to the 15 that struggled to beat Treviso 18-13 in last week’s opening Pro 12 game. Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Robin Copeland and Cathal Sheridan also come into the starting lineup.
Although they won against Treviso, it was a very patchy opening performance and the Ospreys game will provide a stern test for an experimental Munster. CJ Stander and Felix Jones put in outstanding performances against Treviso but there was very much a feeling of early season jitters at Musgrave Park, with the Italian side surprising many with a one point lead at half time.
Ian Keatley has made way for Bleyendaal at out half for the Ospreys game and the former Crusaders man has a big chance to stake his claim for a regular starting spot in the team. Bleyendaal has had to wait a full season for his first Munster start and will be chomping at the bit on Sunday.
Keatley had an average game last week and it continues a miserable run of form for the Dublin born 10. He finished last season poorly and was replaced after 55 minutes against Treviso. Since Ronan O’Gara retired in 2013, Keatley has had two seasons to make the out half position his own but he has been less than convincing in the playmaker role.
Elsewhere in the team it will be interesting to see how former Wallaby Mark Chisholm does on his debut. Chisholm excelled at international level, winning 58 caps. His Australia career finished when he moved to Bayonne in 2011. Munster searched long and hard to replace Paul O’Connell and Chisholm could be the ideal man.
Munster fans will also be excited to see new recruit Francis Saili. The province have had good success with New Zealand centres in the past and if Saili makes half the impact that the likes of Lifemi Mafi and Rua Tipoki, Munster will be more than delighted. Saili is an explosive player and is dynamite with ball in hand.
There will also be the chance to see some local talent as Stephen Fitzgerald also makes his debut. Fans have been aware of Fitzgerald since his schools rugby days and he is regarded as a serious prospect. Although he is more noted as a fullback, he gets his chance on the wing on Sunday.
As earlier stated, Munster’s record at the Liberty stadium isn’t the best but they have a very good chance of coming away from Swansea with a win against a very depleted Ospreys outfit. Steve Tandy’s side were poor against Ulster last week and they will be looking to put things right but Munster should have enough to get their second win of the Pro 12 season.
