Munster Selection For The Game Vs Bristol Shoguns Announced

The Munster selection for the game v Bristol Shoguns, Tuesday, Thomond Park, 7pm has been announced this evening.

The Munster selection for the game v Bristol Shoguns, Tuesday, Thomond Park, 7pm has been announced this evening.

Munsters Starting line up will contain:

Dominic Crotty; John Lacey, Mike Mullins, Jason Holland, Mossie Lawlor; Jeremy Staunton, Mike Prendergast; Padraig Brennan, James Blaney, Rob Laffen, Donnacha O’Callaghan, Mick Galwey; Peter Malone, Colm McMahon and Jim Williams (capt).

Bristol Shoguns Starting line up will contain:

Lee Best, Phil Christophers, Tom Luke, Martin Shaw, Brendon Daniel, Shane Drahm, Paul Hodgson, Ross Beattie (c), Michael Lipman, Chris Morgan, Garath Archer, Andrew Sheridan, Emiliano Bergamaschi, Neil McCarthy, Darren Crompton.

The Munster & Bristol Shoguns’ first pre-season warm-up game of their Irish tour will see Scottish number eight Ross Beattie lead out the Bristol team for the first time as captain.

Beattie will lead out a Shoguns fifteen against Munster at Thomond Park on Tuesday evening, that includes recent England cap Phil Christophers, new centre signing Martin Shaw and a second row of Garath Archer and Andrew Sheridan.

Commenting on the official Bristol Shoguns website about Beattie’s appointment as captain and his first opportunity to lead the team out, Thorburn said: “Ross had a great role model last year in Jason Little. But being captain of the team is not just about leading on the field, it includes organisational responsibilities and being a major link between the players and the coaching team. The first game against Munster will be good experience for him.”

The clash against last year’s losing Heineken Cup finalist will see the Shoguns line up with a new centre partnership of Tom Luke and recent new signing Martin Shaw. Luke is a 19 year-old Academy player who was signed by the Shoguns from Bath during the summer. He has represented England Students at U19 level and is currently studying at Bath University. Thorburn was quick to comment on Martin Shaw who joined the Shoguns in July. “We’ve already seen him play!!” referring to Shaw’s hat trick of tries against the Shoguns in April’s Zurich Premiership fixture.

The line-up against Munster also sees a first team debut for Shoguns and England U21 scrum-half Paul Hodgson. Discussing the new players Thorburn added: “It’s going to be a good opportunity to see them all in a game situation.”

Munster Vs Bristol Shoguns Tuesday 13 August 7pm kick off, Thomond Park, Limerick

The fixture against Munster is followed on Wednesday when the Shoguns meet Connacht at the Galway Sportsground, kick off 6pm. Bristol Shoguns’ final game of the pre-season tour will be against Leinster at Longford Rugby Club on Saturday 17 August, kick off 3pm.