Walking Wounded Worry

After the weekend action in the Magners League, Munster find themselves in eight position thanks to defeat by Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets’ win over Ulster at Stradey Park.

But of more immediate concern to Declan Kidney and the Munster management will be the injuries picked up by Darragh Hurley (shoulder), Federico Pucciariello (leg) and Shaun Payne (hand) just four weeks ahead of the quarterfinal clash with the Scarlets.

The three will undergo further medical examination early this week to ascertain the exact seriousness of their injuries. 

Munster management will have paid particular attention to Llanelli’s performance on Saturday when they accounted for a strong Ulster side 17-11. Llanelli were without their internationals but still managed an impressively composed performance against Mark McCall’s second placed side. When they are restored to full strength the Scarlets will be a formidable outfit particularly at a Stradey Park that will be packed to the rafters with their own supporters.

Scarlets have six home games in the League to look forward to and given their obvious strength in depth they will believe they have an outside chance of winning a title they last held in 2004. However, as things stand they would need to win all their games and hope Leinster to tie up badly in the League run-in.

Meanwhile, Barry Murphy and Frank Sheahan are among the additional players that Eddie O’Sullivan has added to his squad in preparation for the international against Scotland next weekend.