It's been a long journey for Munster this year, both figuratively, and literally for the thousands of Munster fans who have travelled over the equator to South Africa 6 different times this season.
And what a journey it's been. A new coaching ticket bringing back ex Munster legends Denis Leamey and Mike Prendergast back home to join future Munster legend Graham Rowntree in the coaching ticket that has transformed how the team play.
That hasn't been easy, a very rocky start to the season caused by a combination of a new playing style, players going on tour with Ireland, and an injury toll that saw us go into multiple games with no 2nd row cover on the bench, and even using back row forwards on the starting 15
Munster clawed back up the URC table, taking a moment to beat South Africa in a sold out Pairc Ui Caoimhe, to get to the knockouts where they faced a series of away matches, each more unwinnable than the last. Munster knocked the Sharks out of Europe next year, knocked Glasgow out of the URC, Munster then knocked Leinster out in their home stadium and now are faced with one last challenge, beating the Reigning URC champions on their home pitch (if it remains intact) on the literal other side of the world
Munster team
Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls
Stormers team has been announced
Marvin Orie is back to restart his battle with Peter O Mahony. Hopefully this time he can keep his hands to himself
Munster to name the team before 12pm
