Ian Keatley set to win 100th Munster cap on Saturday

Paul O’Connell will also line out in Cork for first time this season

Ian Ketley is set to win his 100th cap for Munster this weekend when they take on Newport-Gwent-Dragons. Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Ian Ketley is set to win his 100th cap for Munster this weekend when they take on Newport-Gwent-Dragons. Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Ian Keatley will win his 100th cap for Munster when the province lines out for their Pro 12 clash against Newport-Gwent-Dragons at Musgrave Park tomorrow.

Anthony Foley has also named Paul O'Connell in the starting 15 for what will be the Irish captains first appearance in Cork this season.

In total Foley has made five changes from the side that drew 23-23 away to Ulster last Saturday with Denis Hurley named as captain for the sixth time this season.

A torn hamstring in last week's encounter has ruled Tommy O'Donnell out for six to eight weeks while Simon Zebo will not make a return until next week as he continues to recover from back spasms.

READ SOME MORE

Also on the sidelines are Duncan Casey and Peter O’Mahony after both withdrew from this week’s preparations.

Casey’s withdrawl is down to mild back pain while O’Mahony picked up a knock in yesterday’s training session.

John Ryan and BJ Botha come into the front row on either side of Eusebio Guinazu, with Donnacha Ryan making the switch to flanker this weekend.

Meanwhile, Billy Holland returns to the starting line-up alongside O’Connell in the second row.

Ryan is joined in the back row by Paddy Butler at seven and last weekend’s man of the match CJ Stander who continues at number eight.

Conor Murray and Keatley remain at half back, as do captain Denis Hurley and Andrew Smith in the centre, while the only change in the backline sees Ronan O'Mahony join the back three alongside Keith Earls and Felix Jones.

Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley – capt., Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Donnacha Ryan, Paddy Butler, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Sean Dougall, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Andrew Conway.

Ruaidhrí Croke

Ruaidhrí Croke

Ruaidhrí Croke is a sports journalist with The Irish Times