Oli Jager boost as Munster look to secure last 16 place by beating Northampton
Oli Jager is back to bolster the Munster front row. Photo: Sportsfile
Oli Jager is fit to start for Munster in their final Champions Cup pool game against Northampton Saints.
Two days after he was named as a ‘training panellist’ in Ireland’s Six Nations squad, the tighthead prop has been recalled to the starting team by Graham Rowntree in the only change to the side that beat Toulon in style last Saturday.
Jager suffered a head injury against Connacht and missed the trip to the Stade Mayol but he’s been cleared to play and replaces John Ryan, who drops to the bench, with Stephen Archer missing out altogether.
Otherwise, it’s as you were for the home side who have Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly in the back three. Antoine Frisch partners Alex Nankivell in midfield and Jack Crowley joins Craig Casey at half-back.
Up front, Jager is in a front row that also features Jeremy Loughman and Niall Scannell as Tadhg Beirne captains the side from the second row, where he partners Tom Ahern.
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New Ireland skipper Peter O’Mahony remains at blindside, with John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes making up the back-row.
Ireland U-20 squad member Brian Gleeson remains on the bench, where Eoghan Clarke continues having extended his short-term deal until the end of the season.
Northampton, meanwhile, make one change to the team that hammered Bayonne last weekend to secure last 16 qualification as Juarno Augustus comes in at No 8.
Phil Dowson’s team are aiming for a high seeding with a win, with former England flanker Courtney Lawes among the big hitters coming to Thomond Park where Munster need a single point to be sure of making the knockouts.
Munster: S Zebo; C Nash, A Frisch, A Nankivell, S Daly; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, N Scannell, O Jager; T Ahern, T Beirne (capt); P O’Mahony, J Hodnett, G Coombes. Reps: E Clarke, J Wycherley, J Ryan, B Gleeson, A Kendellen, C Murray, J Carbery, Seán O’Brien.
Northampton: G Furbank (capt); T Freeman, F Dingwall, R Hutchinson, O Sleightholme; F Smith, A Mitchell; A Waller, C Langdon, T Davison; T Mayanavanua, A Coles; C Lawes, T Pearson, J Augustus. Reps: R Smith, E Iyogun, E Millar Mills, A Moon. S Graham, T James, B Odendaal, C Savala.
