All Systems Go

It’s all systems go for Munster’s Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park Stadium tomorrow (5pm) as the pitch passed an inspection earlier today.

IRFU referee Peter Fitzgibbon (MAR) joined Thomond Park Stadium officials and Chief Groundman Nick Green for a 1pm inspection and gave the go ahead for the game. The Pitch has been covered in a thick layer of straw that will be removed tomorrow afternoon and credit must go to Green and his hard working staff for saving this fixture while all around them have been forced to cancel.

Meanwhile, just like their opponents Cardiff Blues, Munster welcome back most of their international contingent for this top of the table clash. David Wallace gets to sit this one out but Donncha O'Callaghan and Mick O'Driscoll resume their international partnership in the Munster red with O'Callaghan admitting he can't wait to resume despite a busy November schedule when he played in all of Ireland's Tests.

“I don't really think in terms of what games I've played, I just want to play in the next one. In terms of preparation, it is a bit different in that for the past month in international camp, you're away from home mostly. It has to be that way I know but then it's good to get back into your regular routine, be able to be in your own house with your family. “

Munster training this week has been disrupted by the weather but not to any great extent according to the man who is set to win his 173rd Munster cap. “There wasn't really too much,” he says, “we were due to be in Limerick on Tuesday anyway just moved from UL to Garryowen and yesterday it was a case of moving from CIT to Stiofan Naofa. So no bother at all, we were well informed at all times.”

And with the Heineken looming the game tomorrow provides the ideal preparation ? “It does of course. They're (Blues) a quality side but we'll look at this for what it is first, the opportunity for Magners League points. After that we'll get down to preparing for the Ospreys game but first and foremost this is about league points and that's where the focus is for the next 30 hours or so.