Champions Cup: Munster v Ospreys (Sun)

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Alun Wyn Jones (L) and Justin TipuricImage source, Gareth Everett
Image caption,

Alun Wyn Jones (left) was replaced by Justin Tipuric as Ospreys captain

European Champions Cup Pool 4

Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick Date: Sunday, 19 January Kick-off: 13:00 GMT

Coverage: Report BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sport website

Calvin Nash makes his European Champions Cup debut as Munster host Ospreys in Limerick on Sunday.

Nash takes over from knee-injury victim Keith Earls on the right wing for the hosts, who now have no chance of a quarter-final place.

Wales flanker Justin Tipuric returned as winless Ospreys bow out of the tournament.

George North continues at outside centre while Ospreys also include Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Lock Jones made his first Ospreys appearance of the season against Saracens in a 63-minute display while North has only played two games since returning from the World Cup.

There is no place for scrum-half Aled Davies, who was omitted from Wales' Six Nations squad as Rhys Webb, who is returning to Ospreys, was recalled.

Ospreys suffered a late injury blow when centre Scott Williams pulled out with a bad back forcing a backline reshuffle.

Full-back Dan Evans switched to the midfield, while Cai Evans slotted in from the replacements bench.

Munster could not make the quarter-finals and brought in lock Fineen Wycherley for his first tournament start.

He partners Billy Holland, who makes his 225th Munster appearance for the hosts. Centre Sammy Arnold was a late inclusion for Chris Farrell who also suffered a knee problem in training.

Ospreys have lost 14 out of 15 games this season in all competitions.

Image source, Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency
Image caption,

George North has started four of his 91 Tests for Wales at centre

North started at 13 against Saracens because of an Ospreys injury crisis that included Scott Williams, Kieran Williams, Owen Watkin and Cory Allen.

Wales are looking at options to fill the 13 jersey in the Six Nations opening games against Italy and Ireland.

Jonathan Davies and Willis Halaholo have been ruled out of the tournament and Watkin misses the first couple of games.

Ospreys have not won since mid-October and have lost their past 12 games including all five European games.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray, Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland, Peter O'Mahony (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Arno Botha, Jack O'Sullivan, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Dan Goggin.

Ospreys: Cai Evans; Hanno Dirksen, George North, Dan Evans, Luke Morgan; Luke Price, Shaun Venter; Nicky Smith, Scott Otten, Ma'afu Fia, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric (capt), Dan Baker.

Replacements: Dewi Lake, Darryl Marfo, Gheorghe Gajion, Lloyd Ashley, Olly Cracknell, Sam Cross, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Lesley Klim.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)

Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (Fra), Sebastien Minery (Fra)

TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

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