Friday's PRO12 teams: Ireland stars back for Munster
Friday 25 March 2016 18:15, UK
Munster host Zebre, Cardiff seek revenge over Treviso and Glasgow aim to close the gap on Ulster in a trio of Good Friday fixtures.
Munster v Zebre (7pm)
Head Coach Anthony Foley has made nine changes for the clash against Zebre. Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo all return from international duty with Conor Murray and CJ Stander named among the replacements.
Donnacha Ryan comes into the second-row and will make his 100th league appearance when partnering Billy Holland who again captains the side.
In an all-new front row, Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer start on either side of Niall Scannell with Archer making his first start since returning from a long-term neck injury.
Munster have beaten Zebre in their last seven encounters.
Munster: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Darren Sweetnam, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Ronan O'Mahony, 10 Johnny Holland, 9 Tomás O'Leary; 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 Stephen Archer, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Billy Holland (c), 6 Dave O'Callaghan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 8 Jack O'Donoghue.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 James Cronin, 18 Mario Sagario, 19 Dave Foley, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 David Johnston.
Zebre: 15 Kayle van Zyl, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Tommaso Boni, 11 Giulio Toniolatti, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani, 1 Guillermo Roan, 2 Oliviero Fabiani, 3 Dario Chistolini, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (c), 5 Valerio Bernabo, 6 Jean Cook, 7 Federico Ruzza, 8 Johan Meyer.
Replacements: 16 Bruno Postiglioni, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Emiliano Caffini, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Ulrich Beyers, 23 Matteo Pratichetti.
Cardiff v Treviso (7.05pm)
Danny Wilson has vowed that his Cardiff Blues will give Benetton Treviso the respect they deserve when they arrive at Cardiff Arms Park.
Wilson's men face a Treviso side that claimed a 13-6 win over Cardiff Blues last month at Stadio Monigo. The coach said the defeat out in Italy was a tough to take as Cardiff Blues missed several chances to claim victory.
However, back on home soil he has left his side in no doubt to what he expects from the latest fixture as they defend a proud home record.
"They have a powerful pack of forwards and running outside backs that can cause problems off counter attack ball. We know what is coming, but it is a home game and we must win."
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Dan Fish, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Tom James, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Gethin Jenkins (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Josh Turnbull, 5 James Down, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Josh Navidi.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Brad Thyer, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Aled Summerhill.
Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Tommaso Iannone, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (c), 11 Ludovico Nitoglia; 10 Sam Christie, 9 Chris Smylie; 1 Alberto De Marchi, 2 Luca Bigi, 3 Simone Ferrari, 4 Filo Paulo, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Marco Barbini, 7 Marco Lazzaroni, 8 Dean Budd.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Cherif Traorè, 18 Filippo Filippetto, 19 Jeff Montauriol, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Andrea De Marchi, 22 Alberto Lucchese, 23 Simone Ragusi.
Glasgow v Ulster (7.35pm)
Glasgow have recalled ten of their Scottish contingent for this clash. Fit-again Jonny Gray and Finn Russell also bolster the hosts in their bid to close the gap on fourth placed Ulster.
Ireland flanker Iain Henderson will make his comeback from a hamstring injury for the visitors. Henderson, out since December, is one of four changes; Alan O'Connor, Callum Black and Stuart McCloskey also return.
However, full-back Louis Ludik has failed to make the squad despite recovering from a groin injury. Glasgow, sixth in the table, are four points behind the Northern Irish province with a game in hand.
"I don't think any team that loses this week will be out of the race, but you don't want to put two losses together, that is for sure," said Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss.
Glasgow: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Henry Pyrgos; 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Fraser Brown, 3 Sula Puafisi, 4 Jonny Gray (c), 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Chris Fusaro, 8 Josh Strauss.
Replacements: 16 James Malcolm, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Ulster: 15 Stuart Olding, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rory Scholes, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 1 Callum Black, 2 Rob Herring (c), 3 Ricky Lutton, 4 Alan O'Connor, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Iain Henderson, 7 Chris Henry, 8 Nick Williams.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Andrew Warwick, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Darren Cave.
