Scannell starts for Munster

Munster inside centre Rory Scannell will make his first start of the season in Friday's Pro 14 match against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium.

The Ireland international, who made 23 starts for Munster last season and won his first international caps on the summer tour of the USA and Japan, starts alongside Chris Farrell in midfield.

Dave Kilcoyne is included among the replacements after recovering from the knee injury he suffered in Munster's 51-18 win over the Cheetahs on 9 September.

Winger Darren Sweetnam, who scored a try in the 21-16 win over Ospreys at Liberty Stadium last weekend, is not sure what to expect from the Warriors under new head coach Dave Rennie.

"It's never easy playing away, but especially over there in Glasgow," the 24-year-old said.

"There was little or nothing in our last number of games and we'll need to build on the momentum we've gathered from the three wins leading into this weekend.

"Obviously we know them a lot from last season, but they are under a new head coach so that brings more of an element of the unknown."

Munster are three from three in the Pro 14 after their victories over Treviso, Cheetahs and the Ospreys, and Sweetnam is hopeful Rassie Erasmus' side can continue an unbeaten run on the road that stretches back to October 2016 and their 24-15 Aviva Stadium defeat to Leinster.

"We're in a good place heading into this weekend. There's a great environment and there's some buzz playing for this team," he continued.

"The way are playing at the moment is great, we are seeing a lot more ball on the wing and as a player all you want is to get the ball as often as you can.

"We did a lot of work in pre-season on handling, backs and forwards alike, and thankfully we are seeing the results of that on the pitch so far this season. 

"The forwards have been throwing passes like you'd see out the backs and that makes such a difference when you are trying to play an expansive game.

Munster: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; Tyler Bleyendaal(capt), Duncan Williams; Liam O’Connor, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Sean O’Connor, Tommy O’Donnell, Jack O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Robin Copeland, James Hart, Jaco Taute, Simon Zebo.

Image: Inpho/ Morgan Treacy

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