13 changes as Johann van Graan names his Munster side for Benetton trip

The Munster side to face Benetton in Treviso has been named by Head Coach Johann van Graan ahead of Saturday evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash in Italy (5pm Irish time).

Gavin Coombes and Mike Haley are the only players to keep their places following last week’s clash against Leinster with 13 changes to the starting XV.

It’s a real family affair with two sets of brothers and a pair of cousins all starting the game.

Academy prop Josh Wycherley and his brother Fineen start together in red for the first time with the Scannell brothers, Niall and Rory, and Coombes cousins Gavin and Liam also named in the starting XV.

Billy Holland captains the side on his 239th appearance for the province.

Three Academy players are included in the squad as out-half Ben Healy and loosehead prop Josh Wycherley both start with lock Thomas Ahern among the replacements.

Roman Salanoa makes his first PRO14 start at tighthead prop.

Haley starts at full-back with Liam Coombes and Darren Sweetnam on either flank.

Nick McCarthy and Healy team up in the half-backs with a centre partnership of Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin.

Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell and Salanoa pack down in the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Holland in the engine room.

Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete and Gavin Coombes complete the side in the back row as Coombes moves to no.8 having started at no.6 last week.

Replacement Jeremy Loughman is set for his first appearance since October after recovering from a shoulder injury with short-term signing Paddy Patterson in line to make his Munster debut as he provides the scrum-half cover.

Munster: Mike Haley; Liam Coombes, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Ben Healy, Nick McCarthy; Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa; Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Thomas Ahern, Tommy O’Donnell, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Damian de Allende.