Northampton vs Munster

The province have rewarded Jack Crowley with his first start at inside centre after he linked up well with Joey Carbery last weekend.

This is a fixture with history, but it’s closing in on 11 years since the last of their six meetings. Northampton tend to blow hot and cold but they also need a win to get their European campaign off the ground and have named about as strong a 15 as they can. It’s Crowley’s first start in the position for Munster and represents the latest intriguing turn in his development. Frisch had one of his quieter games against Toulouse but contains the type of ball-playing ability that Munster so sorely lacked across the opening games of the season. Claiming the scalp of this current Munster crop may not be the statement result of years past but for both sides, the need to win is clear. The elements may play a part too. Northampton’s four wins in the Premiership this season? Last month the conversation around Crowley centred around whether he may prove to be the long-term successor to Johnny Sexton at Test level. Crowley’s future may well lie at out-half but today provides a chance for the exciting young back to showcase his talents elsewhere. They currently sit sixth in the Premiership table, winning just four of their opening 10 fixtures. The current group were shown clips of that thriller this week as they look to inject some life into their own European season. Last Saturday the Saints were thumped 46-12 at La Rochelle, at one point trailing 32-0.

The teams last met in January 2012 - a 51-36 victory for Munster. Current squad members Keith Earls, Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahony, Stephen Archer and Simon Zebo ...

Questo sito utilizza cookie di profilazione, propri o di altri siti, per inviare messaggi pubblicitari mirati. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: [email protected]. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Dave Kilcoyne, Roman Salanoa, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly. There is another inter-provincial derby for Munster on New Years Day when Ulster await in Kingspan Stadium at 5.15 on Sunday January 1 in round 11 of the URC. The teams last met in January 2012 - a 51-36 victory for Munster. Both lost last weekend in round one - Munster to Toulouse and Northampton to La Rochelle.

Munster and their fans are in the UK ahead of a Heineken Champons Cup encounter with Northampton Saints this afternoon. The reds are looking to bounce back ...