Munster Aim to Defend URC Title Against Ospreys in Quarter-Final Showdown
Reigning champions and top seeds Munster will aim to move a step closer to defending their United Rugby Championship (URC) title when they face the Ospreys in Friday’s quarter-final showdown.
The Irish province has been in remarkable form in the league, securing nine consecutive victories to finish at the summit. Munster’s narrow win over Ulster last weekend secured the number one seeding, setting up a clash with the Ospreys in the URC’s last-eight.
The Welsh region clinched a play-off spot by winning their final two matches against fellow countrymen the Dragons and Cardiff. Munster have made three changes to the team that edged Ulster, with Antoine Frisch returning from injury to make his 40th appearance for the province at outside centre.
“This quarter-final clash between the defending champions Munster and the Ospreys promises an enthralling battle as the Irish province seeks to maintain their charge towards retaining the URC title.”
In the forward pack, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes come into the starting lineup at flanker and number eight, respectively. The backline remains unchanged, with Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly in the back three, while Sean O’Brien has moved from outside to inside centre to accommodate Frisch.
Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Jack Crowley continue their half-back partnership, with Tony Butler named on the bench in place of the injured Joey Carbery. Up front, the experienced front-row of Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer is retained, while RG Snyman and captain Tadhg Beirne form an unchanged front five.
Veteran Peter O’Mahony, Hodnett and Coombes start in the back-row, with the latter pair having made a significant impact off the bench in recent URC fixtures. Diarmuid Barron, who has recovered from a foot injury, is included on the bench.
The Ospreys, meanwhile, have made just one change from the side that defeated Cardiff 33-29 last week, with Owen Williams coming in for the injured Dan Edwards. Williams partners Reuben Morgan-Williams in the half-back pairing, while the backline features Max Nagy, Luke Morgan and Keelan Giles.
Keiran Williams and Owen Watkin form a formidable centre combination, while the back-row of Morgan Morris, Justin Tipuric and Jac Morgan will look to impose themselves. In the pack, James Ratti and Huw Sutton start in the engine room, with Tom Botha, Dewi Lake and Nicky Smith forming the front-row.
đź”— Source
