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Holland to equal ROG achievement in Munster's trip to Edinburgh

Billy Holland will become Munster's joint second most-capped ever player on Saturday night. The lock...


Holland to equal ROG achieveme...

Sponsored

Holland to equal ROG achievement in Munster's trip to Edinburgh


Billy Holland will become Munster's joint second most-capped ever player on Saturday night.

The lock will equal Ronan O'Gara's mark 240 Munster appearances having been named in the side to face Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO14.

Holland will also have the distinction of captaining the side at Murrayfield.

Only Donnacha O'Callaghan (268 caps) remains for the Corkman to overhaul on the province's all-time appearance list.

International duo Andrew Conway and Craig Casey are parachuted from the Ireland camp into Johann van Graan's starting XV.

Conway will start on the right wing, and fresh from signing a new two-year deal Shane Daly will start on the left.

Chris Farrell and Damien de Allende will form a strong-looking centre partnership, with JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs alongside Casey.

Holland will be partnered in the second row by Jean Kleyn.

In front of them will be the trio of James Cronin, Niall Scannell and John Ryan. While the back-row is comprised of Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete and Gavin Coombes.

"It’s always great to welcome national players and that’s exactly what they are," Van Graan said. "They are test calibre players.

"It’s great to have Andrew, Chris, Shane and Craig back.

He added, "I’m sure they will have a big part to play on Saturday. It’s brilliant that with the vibe we have in the squad they fit in seamlessly as they had done in the Autumn, so yeah it’s great to have some of our players back.”

Munster team v Edinburgh: 

15. Mike Haley; 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Shane Daly; 10. JJ Hanrahan, 9. Craig Casey;

1. James Cronin, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan; 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Billy Holland (C); 6. Jack O’Donoghue, 7. Chris Cloete, 8. Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: 16. Kevin O’Byrne, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. Jack O’Sullivan, 21. Nick McCarthy, 22. Ben Healy, 23. Rory Scannell.

All-Stars, Andy Mitten, Cora Staunton, EXPLAINED: McClean abuse, Irish Rugby debate



Read more about

Andrew Conway Billy Holland Guinness Pro14 Munster Pro 14 Ronan O'Gara

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