MUNSTER TAKE ON TOULOUSE in the Champions Cup on Sunday in a game that could have massive ramifications for the province's season and their European ambitions.
Graham Rowntree's Munster side head to France to do battle with the Top14 side at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
A win could be massive for the Irish province.
The game kicks-off at 3.15pm Irish time, Sunday, and can be seen live on BT Sport.
Graham Rowntree has selected a strong side for the trip to France on Sunday.
The Munster head coach has made two changes to the Munster team that beat Northampton Saints last week. John Hodnett and John Ryan start the game in the front 8.
A back three of Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, and Shane Daley start the game.
Limerick , Ireland - 16 October 2021; John Ryan of Munster (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)The centre pairing of Antoine Frisch, and Jack Crowley also get the nod.
Joey Carbery, who was left out of this week's Ireland Six Nations squad starts at 10, while Craig Casey starts at scrum half.
The front row looks like Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and Ryan, who is one of two changes made to the side.
The engine room of Jean Kleyn and Tadgh Bierne also start
Finally, the side is completed by Peter O'Mahony, who captains the side, Hodnett the other change to the side, and Gavin Coombes who also received an Ireland call up this week
Should Munster come away from France with zero points - assuming Montpellier defeat London Irish at home - Clermont Auvergne would still have to upset the Stormers in South Africa, while Sale Sharks would have to come away from Ravenhill with a win. Judging by Ulster's resurgent performance against La Rochelle yesterday, they will be favourites to overcome the Premiership side in Belfast.
A loss for either Sale or Clermont will guarantee Munster's progression, while a losing bonus point or try bonus point would mean that Sale would have to defeat Ulster with four tries and make up the points difference.
Two points for Munster - through a draw or two bonus points - will guarantee them a passage to the next round, regardless of other results.
Munster
Fullback: 15. Mike Haley
Winger: 14. Calvin Nash
Centres 13.Antoine Frisch, 12. Jack Crowley,
Winger: 11. Shane Daly;
Out half: 10. Joey Carbery, , Scrum half 9. Craig Casey
Front row:1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan;
Second row: 4. Jean Kleyn,5. Tadhg Beirne;
Back row: 6 Peter O’Mahony (C), 7. John Hodnett, 8. Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: 17. Diarmuid Barron, 18. Josh Wycherley, 19. Roman Salanoa, 20. Jack O’Sullivan, 21. Alex Kendellen, 22. Conor Murray, 23. Ben Healy, 24. Malakai Fekitoa.
Here is your Munster side to face Toulouse in the @ChampionsCup at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday 💪
See full team news here: https://t.co/1TQt4yg1lv#TOUvMUN #SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/tOxsKXkmLM— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 20, 2023
Tolouse
Fullback: 15. Melvyn Jaminet
Winger: 14. Juan Cruz Mallia
Centres 13.Pierre-Louis Barassi , 12. Pita Ahki
Winger: 11. Dimitri Delibes
Out half: 10 Romain Ntamack, Scrum half 9. Antoine Dupont
Front row:1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Dorian Aldegheri
Second row: 4. Richie Arnold 5. Emmanuel Meafou 6.
Back row: 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Alexandre Roumat
Replacements: 16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. Rodrigue Neti 18. David Ainu'u, 19. Thibaud Flament, 20. Joshua Brennan 21. Francois Cros 22. Ange Capuozzo, 23. Arthur Retiere
🗣️ #STMUN, 𝗟𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗢 📋
Découvrez les 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝗶𝗿 retenus pour la réception du @Munsterrugby 👊 pic.twitter.com/yUCjlqmYkT— Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) January 20, 2023
