Munster make big midfield call for do-or-die Stade Francais clash

Anthony Foley has left Denis Hurley on the bench for the away date.

Munster are up against it in their Champions Cup pool - following duel defeats to Leicester - but are not dead yet. With Treviso in their pool [and the bonus points they often cough up], a win over Top 14 champions Stade Francais could revive their flagging campaign. To that end, Foley has paired Rory Scannell in midfield with All Blacks centre Francis Salli. Tommy O'Donnell continues his comeback and is named in a brutish back row with Robin Copeland and captain CJ Stander. Mark Chisholm has Dave Foley in the second row for company. Keith Earls and Simon Zebo are on the wings, with Andrew Conway at fullback. Tyler Bleyendaal misses out on the bench with a quad injury.

Munster: Andrew Conway; Keith Earls, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Mark Chisholm; Robin Copeland, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander (c). Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Mario Sagario, Billy Holland, Jack O'Donoghue, Tomás O'Leary, Denis Hurley, Ronan O'Mahony.

Meanwhile, Ulster coach Les Kiss has recalled Craig Gilroy to his starting XV for his side's away date with Oyonnax. The Ireland international is just back from a spell on the sidelines and replaces Louis Ludik in the No.15 jersey. There is no place for Jared Payne in the matchday squad, despite the Kiwi being registered for the competition midweek. Interestingly, Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar have both been named on the bench. Ulster:  C Gilroy; S Arnold, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes; I Humphreys, P Marshall; K McCall, R Best (c), R Lutton; L Stevenson, F van der Merwe; R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson. Replacements: R Herring, C Black, B Ross, N Williams, Sean Reidy, R Pienaar, P Jackson, L Ludik.