Munster insist RG Snyman’s return for URC clash with Scarlets is perfect timing

The Springbok will see his first action for Munster since the URC win over the Stormers in Cape Town back in May and while the 29-year-old is heading to arch rivals Leinster in the summer, Kyriacou said it’s great to have him back.

“It is really nice, the timing of it for us that he is coming in this period and we are looking forward to having someone like that, 6’9” and some 130kg, with that calibre back in that position and what he offers both on and off the field. He’ll complement and support younger lads while they try and play in the way they are training,” said Kyriacou.

“He is going to be a big player for us over the next few months before he wraps things up for us.”

Munster have not won away from home in the league since that final win over the Stormers and while Scarlets have only managed two wins in nine URC games this season, Kyriacou said they are taking nothing for granted against a side who 42 points against them in Cork last season, even if they ended losing the game 49-42.

“We have massive respect for them in terms of what they did against us last season. They are a team who are deadly with the unstructured side of the game. They have got some good ball carriers, a lot of offload threats and they keep the ball alive as well,” added Kyriacou.

“They are good on the edges in terms of the way they swing ball to the edges of the field and they tough lads, they are proud lads of their club and the area they come from and we respect that.” .

Aside from the return of Snyman, Mike Haley is also back for his first action of the season and slots back in his usual full-back spot.

Munster are also boosted by the return of Conor Murray, Oli Jager and Jeremy Loughman from Irish camp and all three have been handed starting roles.

Hooker Niall Scannell and lock Tom Ahern also return from injury as Munster head to Llanelli with a fairly formidable side, with Joey Carbery partnering Murray at half-back and Antoine Frisch and Alex Nankivell continuing their solid centre partnership.

Promising academy flanker Ruadhan Quinn starts in a back row where Alex Kendellen will skipper the side for the first time in the league, having led them out in the recent friendly with the Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Two more academy players, scrum-half Ethan Coughlan and wing Shay McCarthy, are included on the bench having impressed when they started against the Crusaders.

Munster: M Haley; S O’Brien, A Frisch, A Nankivell; S Daly; J Carbery, C Murray; J Loughman, N Scannell, O Jager; T Ahern, RG Snyman; R Quinn, A Kendellen (c), G Coombes. Replacements: E Clarke, J Wycherley, J Ryan, F Wycherley, J O’Sullivan, E Coughlan, R Scannell, S McCarthy.

Scarlets: J McNicholl; T Lewis, J Roberts, E James, I Nicholas; D Jones, A Hughes; K Mathias, E Swart, H O'Connor; A Craig, S Lousi (c); J Taylor, D Davis, V Fifita. Replacements: Harry Thomas, Wyn Jones, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Steff Evans.

Ref: Ian Kenny (Scotland).

Verdict: Munster