This match will kick off at 19:35 on Saturday, 25th September in Thomond Park with Craig Evans officiating and John Mason on TMO.

The match will be shown live on RTE 2, Premier Sports, and URC TV.

The Munster squad is buzzing with the return of RG Snyman after an injury as he currently lines up on the bench. The team will also be happy to have their prodigal son Simon Zebo returning to the starting lineup for his second competitive debut for the provincial side.

The team’s only concern is that they have not been battle-hardened after their challenge game against Bath was canceled earlier this month.

The Sharks’ team will including a few familiar faces for Irish fans as former Munster lock Gerbrandt Grobler and Thomas de Toit are set to feature with ex-Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar. They also have Clare man Noel McNamara in their backroom staff.

The squad is in decent form after losing the Currie Cup final to the Bulls two weeks ago.

In what is the first competitive match held in Thomond Park with a crowd in 19 months, this will also be the first competitive meeting between Sharks and Munster.

Keith Earls intercept to finish the game! @eirSport @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/Z3VZyi0l81

— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe) December 29, 2018

Predicted Starting Teams

Munster Rugby

Starting 15

1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Fineen Wycherley, 6. Peter O’Mahony (C), 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. Gavin Coombes, 9. Craig Casey, 10. Joey Carbery, 11. Simon Zebo, 12. Rory Scannell, 13. Dan Goggin, 14. Andrew Conway, 15. Mike Haley.

Replacements

Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Keynan Knox, RG Snyman, Thomas Ahern, Rowan Osborne, Ben Healy, Chris Cloete.

Cell C Sharks

Predicted Starting 15

1.Khwezi Mona, 2.Kerron Van Vuuren, 3.Thomas du Toit, 4.Le Roux Roets, 5.Gerbrandt Grobler, 6.Dylan Richardson, 7.Henco Venter, 8.Phepsi Buthelezi (C), 9.Ruan Pienaar, 10.Boeta Chamberlain, 11.Thaakir Abrahams, 12.Marius Louw, 13.Werner Kok, 14.Yaw Penxe, 15.Curwin Bosch

Replacements:

16. Fez Mbatha 17.Ntuthuko Mchunu 18.Khutha Mchunu, 19.Hyron Andrews 20.Ruben Van Heerden 21.Mpilo Gumede, 22. Sanele Nohamba 23. Jeremy Ward

Spotted – @SharksRugby out and about in Dublin ahead of Saturday's opener v @Munsterrugby #URC pic.twitter.com/4odEcJBmsL

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 21, 2021

Betting

Match Odds

Munster Rugby 1/40

Draw 75/1

Cell C Sharks 18/1

Handicap Betting

Munster Rugby (-27) 10/11

Draw (-27) 22/1

Sharks (+27) 10/11

Score Prediction

Munster are the clear favorites for this tie, even without including the immense support that they will be shown by the Thomond Park faithful. The Sharks will not go down easily but the Reds will run out victors on Saturday evening.

Expect the game to end with Munster winning by around 15 points with general comfort in the closing minutes.

VIDEO | We spoke to Johann van Graan and scrum-half Paddy Patterson following the #MunsterChallengeMatch with a trip to Exeter coming up on Saturday as pre-season continues.

Watch match highlights: https://t.co/NsP2JRLuVg#EXEvMUN #SUAF pic.twitter.com/RnEmOIyVtt

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 7, 2021

To read more in-depth and comprehensive rugby news, click here.

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Kearney joins a star-studded line-up of Premier Sports pundits for its Irish rugby coverage including fellow former internationals Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble. They will appear with the experienced TV team of Bernard Jackman, Graham Little, Mark Robson, and lead Irish commentator Ryle Nugent.

As Ireland’s most decorated player ever, Rob Kearney (93 caps) won four Six Nations titles, four Heineken Cups, six PRO 12/14 trophies, and one European Challenge Cup plus was named 2012 European Rugby Player of the year.

Kearney was also part of two Lions Tours in 2009 and 2013.  He played for Leinster for 15 seasons with more than 200 appearances for his home province.

Rob Kearney has just got his first Super Rugby win with the Western Force.

It's the Western Force's first Super Rugby win in over 4 years.#WARvFOR #IrishAbroad pic.twitter.com/4AVM4naKPi

— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) March 5, 2021

Also, new to the Premier Sports team in Ireland will be popular rugby presenter and podcast host Christina Mahon who brings great rugby contacts and knowledge to the team at Premier Sports.

Premier Sports has also been awarded TV rights for the Republic of Ireland for the first time in the new era of the tournament expanding its coverage to bring together live games from each round to a wider rugby audience across the UK and Ireland.

The only man to start in two Grand Slam-winning Tests for Ireland.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Rob Kearney. pic.twitter.com/QCJsRgM3lz

— The42.ie (@The42_ie) March 17, 2018

Premier Sports viewers can enjoy double delight high profile sport with Premier League action from 14:30 this weekend as Leeds faces West Ham before a URC doubleheader as the Irish provinces met South African teams first up with Leinster v Bulls before Munster host Sharks.

Premier Sports team on duty this weekend are Graham Little, Rob Kearney, and Bob Skinstad in the studio with Ryle Nugent and Stephen Ferris on commentary at the Aviva, and Connor Morris and Alan Quinlan in Thomond Park.

The post Premier Sport announce Rob Kearney as new pundit appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Munster Rugby’s prodigal son will soon make his long-awaited debut for the club. He is likely to start in the United Rugby Championship match against Cell C Sharks on the 25th of September.

He rejoined the provincial club after a successful spell in France with Racing 92 that lasted three years. The 31-year-old made his first appearance for the Reds back in 2010.

Speaking to Munster Rugby, Zebo said: “It’s great to be back, I haven’t’ stopping smiling for about six weeks now.

“I’m enjoying every minute of it, a great group of guys. I’m very happy to be at home.

A well-worked 1st half try from the Munster Grey side with Paddy Patterson touching down.#MUNvMUN #MunsterChallengeMatch#SUAF pic.twitter.com/30tcTON2Bq

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 4, 2021

The Cork man racked up 144 caps for Munster in seven years before making the switch to Paris. He also managed 35 appearances for the Ireland team which he had to give up by leaving Ireland.

“There’s some unbelievable young athletes and some really skillful guys [like] Jake Flannery, Jack Crowley, Daniel Okeke,” added Zebo.

“These guys have been pushing it on really and there’s a great buzz around the camp, a great blend of youth and experience and we’re really looking forward to the new season.”

Oh no big deal, just pictures of @SimonZebo back training with @Munsterrugby here, you love to see it! ( @RyanByrnePhoto) pic.twitter.com/CaqgUSSc5E

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) September 2, 2021

He got the taste of playing in Thomond Park on Saturday in an internal match, behind closed doors.

Now Zebo just cannot wait until he can play a match in front of a packed cheering crowd in Limerick.

“To get the run-out in Thomond Park, get the boots on, run around with your friends is what it’s all about. I’m very excited to do that and we’re building nicely into the season.

“I can’t wait for the day I pull on a red jersey in front of a full house.”

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