Costello Names Extended Squad

Ian Costello began his final preparations for Friday’s British & Irish Cup final with a training session in Cork this morning and afterwards named an extended squad for the clash with Cross Keys (Musgrave Park 5.30pm).

It includes six of those involved in the RaboDirect PRO12 squad that drew with Scarlets on Saturday as well as Billy Holland, Denis Hurley and John Ryan who travelled as cover with the squad.

Holland is likely to captain the side and last Saturday in the company of Costello and Team Manager Niall O'Donovan was among the crowd at the Talbot Athletic Ground for Aberavon's Principality Premiership game with Friday's opponents Cross Keys.

It proved to be a less than revealing visit however. The Cross Keys side listed in the match programme bore no resemblance whatsoever to the one that took the field.

The final 79-25 scoreline in Aberavon's favour suggesting that none of those who took to the field in Port Talbot on Saturday will be bringing their kit bags with them to Cork on Friday, the Priniplaity Premiership very much a side show, as the Welsh side focus firmly on securing the B&I title, their leading light wrapped in cotton wool ahead of Friday's game.

Costello is expected to name his side for the final after training in UL on Wednesday.

Munster Squad: Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Peter Borlase, Christy Condon, Sean Henry, Denis Fogarty, Brian Hayes, Ian Nagle, Phil Donnellan, Billy Holland, Dave O'Callaghan, Barry O'Mahony, Brian O'Hara, Paddy Butler, Denis Hurley, Sean Scanlon, Ronan O'Mahony, Luke O'Dea, Danny Barnes, Tom Gleeson, Ivan Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, Scott Deasy, Declan Cusack, Cathal Sheridan, Duncan Williams