Munster v Leicester: Champions Cup preview
Saturday 12 December 2015 22:58, UK
Pool four leaders Leicester Tigers head to Limerick on Saturday to take on Munster in the Champions Cup.
The Tigers enjoyed bonus-point victories over Stade Francais and Treviso in the first two rounds, and victory at Thomond Park would go a long way to staking their claim on a quarter-final place.
Four key members of the Tigers squad signed contract extensions this week, and two of the players will start the game. Ed Slater captains the side in the No 6 jersey, while Ben Youngs starts at scrum-half.
Partnering Youngs at half-back is Owen Williams, who is excited about the quartet's decision to confirm their commitment Leicester ahead of such an important game.
"We all want success here," said Williams. "We want silverware, and to have players of their calibre committing to the club is a big statement for us.
"These big rivalry games in hostile environments are exactly the sort of challenges you want to face as a player.
"We have had a good start in the tournament and we have put ourselves in good shape after a couple of games, but we know these next games are going to be key.
"Munster did not take their strongest squad to face the Newport Gwent Dragons in the PRO12 last weekend, so you cannot read too much into their league form. This is a big contest, and they will be up for it."
Slater lines up in the back-row alongside Brendon O'Connor and No 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, while Graham Kitchener partners Mike Fitzgerald in the second-row.
Meanwhile Munster coach Anthony Foley has made nine changes to the side that started against Newport Gwent Dragons last Sunday.
Conor Murray has recovered from injury and links up with fly-half Ian Keatley, and in the midfield Denis Hurley partners Francis Saili.
Keith Earls and Simon Zebo line up on the wings, with Andrew Conway behind them at full-back.
Munster: 15 Andrew Conway, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Denis Hurley, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 1 James Cronin, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 BJ Botha, 4 Dave Foley, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 6 Robin Copeland, 7 Dave O'Callaghan, 8 CJ Stander (c).
Replacements: Mike Sherry, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Mark Chisholm, Jack O'Donoghue, Tomás O'Leary, Tyler Bleyendaal, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.
Leicester: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Graham Kitchener, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 6 Ed Slater (c), 7 Brendon O'Connor, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey.
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Dom Barrow, 20 Tom Croft, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Tommy Bell, 23 Gonzalo Camacho.
