Rugby

Munster aim to revive flagging Euro hopes against Leicester

Ian Keatley retains his place at number 10 for the match against Leicester  
Ian Keatley retains his place at number 10 for the match against Leicester   Ian Keatley retains his place at number 10 for the match against Leicester  

A WAR of attrition is expected at Welford Road on Sunday as Munster look to revive their European hopes by reversing last weekend’s hugely disappointing defeat by Leicester.

The English Premiership side sit top of Pool Four following their convincing 31-19 win in Thomond Park and are further boosted by the returns of fly-half Freddie Burns and Peter Betham in midfield.

Munster will have to cope without BJ Botha, who is continuing to follow return-to-play protocols after suffering concussion last weekend. They make three changes to their forward line, with Mike Sherry and John Ryan coming into the front-row and Mark Chisholm starting behind them alongside Donnacha Ryan. Ian Keatley, whose substitution last weekend was ironically cheered by his own fans, retains his place at 10.

The other Pool Four tie should see Stade Francais comfortably overcome Treviso on Saturday. Leinster are well aware of the precariousness of their situation, but they will be determined to cut their longest ever European losing streak off at three successive defeats.

The decision to appeal Cian Healy’s two-week suspension makes him available, but he is set to start on the bench, with Jack McGrath coming in at loosehead as they face the three in-a-row European champions. Fergus McFadden and Isaac Boss are ruled out through injury, meaning Dave Kearney and Eoin Reddan come into the side.

Elsewhere, Saracens are expected to stay at the head of Ulster’s pool by claiming what would be a 10th successive win in all competitions when they play host to Oyannax.

There will be pressure on Clermont Auvergne as they host an Exeter side growing in confidence, but the French side, needing victory, would be expected to prevail.

It’s expected that victories for Bath, Bordeaux-Begles and Glasgow Warriors will come against Wasps, Ospreys and Scarlets respectively.

FIXTUES


Saturday


Pool One: Saracens v Oyannax (1pm); Pool Two: Bordeaux-Begles v Ospreys (5.15pm); Pool Three: Scarlets v Glasgow (7.45pm); Pool Four: Stade Francais v Benetton Treviso (3.15pm); Pool Five: Bath v Wasps (3.15pm), Leinster v Toulonnaise (5.15pm)

Sunday


Pool One: Toulouse v Ulster (1pm); Pool Two: Clermont Auvergne v Exeter (3.15pm); Pool Three: Leicester v Munster (5.15pm)