Sport

Hanrahan returns for Munster as Bleyendaal ruled out of Racing game

Hanrahan returns for Munster as Bleyendaal ruled out of Racing game

By Stephen Barry

JJ Hanrahan returns to the Munster team at fly-half this weekend after Tyler Bleyendaal was ruled out of contention.

Bleyendaal reported stiffness during the week and is unavailable for tomorrow's game against Racing 92.

Hanrahan's return from a hamstring injury couldn't be more timely, with Joey Carbery also out with an ankle injury.

Advertisement

Van Graan has again decided to go without a specialist deputy on the bench, with centre Rory Scannell likely to fill in if needed.

Tadhg Beirne and Jack O’Donoghue are the other two changes to the starting team from the win over Ospreys, with Billy Holland dropping to the bench and Tommy O'Donnell not included in the matchday 23.

Fineen Wycherley comes into the replacements as Van Graan opts for six forwards on the bench, with Sammy Arnold left out.

Replacement scrum-half Alby Mathewson is set to play his last game for the province before his contract ends.

Advertisement

Former Munster star Simon Zebo returns to start in the Racing team to visit Thomond Park, alongside Donnacha Ryan.

Over 24,000 tickets have been sold for the game.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (c), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Fineen Wycherley, Alby Mathewson, Dan Goggin, Arno Botha.

Advertisement