Munster take on Scarlets this week in round 15 of the United Rugby Championship this Friday. Despite both sides missing players on Six Nations duty, fifth-place Munster are heavy favourites to overcome fourteenth-place Scarlets who have little left to play for. With just three games remaining after this weekend Munster are looking to make a push into the top four to give themselves a favourable quarter-final draw. We have all the info on how to watch Munster v Scarlets right here, as well all the latest team news and what to expect from both sides.
When is Munster v Scarlets?
Munster take on Scarlets on Friday 3rd of March at 19:35 in Musgrave Park, Cork.
How to watch Munster v Scarlets?
The match will be broadcast live on RTE 2 with coverage starting up at 19:00 with kick-off at 19:35.
17 February 2023; Joey Carbery of Munster, second left, celebrates with teammates Shane Daly, Simon Zebo and Antoine Frisch after scoring his side's fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Form Guide
Fifth-place Munster come into this fixture missing a large chunk of their squad to Six Nations duty and with plenty to play for with preferential quarter-final draws for the top four teams. On the other hand, the Scarlets have very little to play for, the Welsh side are three from the bottom of the table with just four games remaining and while a win in Musgrave Park might restore pride it won't make their season any longer.
Munster come into this game after winning their last four games in the league and just two points behind Glasgow in the standings. A bonus point win on Friday night would go a long way in keeping up with Glasgow before they meet the Scottish team in round 16, where they'll have an opportunity to overtake them. A loss at this stage for Munster would be detrimental and Graham Rowntree will be hoping his less experienced players can stand up and take control come Friday.
Scarlets have won just 5 of their 14 games in the URC, as well as that, the club and its players are being widely impacted by the current financial controversies in Welsh rugby with uncertainty surrounding the players and the club's future. Given all this, it will be a very difficult task to come to Cork and win but they'll take confidence in the calibre of players absent from Munster and try exploit the inexperience.
While one should be slow to write off a Scarlets upset, there can be no doubt that Munsters are favourites for this week's game.
Team News
Munster
The headline news for Munster is the return of South African lock RG Snyman to the bench after a 17-month layoff. Should he come on he'll be making just his fifth appearance for the province since arriving in 2020. Joey Carbery also starts for Munster after being in Rome as a reserve, while Jack O'Donoghue leads the team out. The team in full is:
15.Patrick Campbell; 14.Calvin Nash 13.Antoine Frisch 12.Malakai Fekitoa 11.Shane Daly 10.Joey Carbery 9.Paddy Patterson; 1.Josh Wycherley 2.Diarmuid Barron 3.Roman Salanoa 4. Jean Kleyn 5.Fineen Wycherley 6.Jack O’Donoghue(C) 7.John Hodnett 8. Gavin Coombes
Here is your Munster team to face Scarlets in Cork tomorrow night 🙌
Musgrave Park is sold-out for the clash, thanks for your support! 🚩🚩🚩#MUNvSCA #URC #SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ijQ0ugfuM1— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 2, 2023
Scarlets
Three players return from injury to strengthen the Scarlets side coming to Cork. Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams and Josh McLeod. McLeod will lead the team out in his first game back. The team in full is,
📢 Here's your Scarlets 23 to take on @Munsterrugby at Musgrave Park on Friday evening (19:35)
👊 Josh to skipper
🔴 50th appearance for Dan Davis
Dyma tîm y Scarlets i wynebu Munster ar nos Wener yn Cork
🔗 https://t.co/zJlGHOSWRt#MUNvSCA #YmaOHyd #BKTURC pic.twitter.com/gOs2b6KIy2— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) March 2, 2023
That's all the information you need on how to watch Munster v Scarlets in the URC on Friday.
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