Newcomers To Be Unveiled

Munster coach Alan Gaffney is likely to give a first outing to those players who have come into his squad this season when it kicks off with a friendly against London Irish in Thomond Park on Tuesday.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney is likely to give a first outing to those players who have come into his squad this season when it kicks off with the friendly against London Irish in Thomond Park on Tuesday (7pm) next.

Those newcomers include out-half Paul Burke, centre James Storey and prop Mike Storey. Good news also for Gaffney and Munster supporters will be the appearance in a Munster jersey of Denis Leamy who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury. Leamy is reported to be ‘flying’ in training and he will feature in Tuesday’s game.

The one area where Munster may be considered light in terms of personnel is the second row where David Pusey’s absence – through injury – has yet to be addressed which means that Trevor Hogan is the only out and out lock available to Gaffney at this stage of the season.

Tom Hayes would look the likely partner for Hogan on Tuesday with Stephen Keogh, Denis Leamy, Jim Williams the possible back-row combination.

Outside of the halves, the Munster backline will have a familiar ring to it with Anthony Horgan, John Kelly Mossie Lawlor and Shaun Payne vying for the wing berths; Mike Mullins Rob Henderson, James Storey and Jason Holland contenders for the mid-field role and Christian Cullen – showing the benefits of his first full pre-season in eight years – at full-back.

With Ronan O’Gara and Peter Striner unavailable, Eoin Reddan should partner Burke at half-back with Mike Prendergast making a elcome return to he bench.

For the first time in three seasons London Irish will bring its full 31 man professional squad on its pre-season tour to Ireland later this month. Included in the tour party will be new siging Mike Catt plus Irish internationalse Justin Bishop, Bob Casey and Kieron Dawson with Nenagh’s Barry Everitt set to run out in the number 10 jersey.

Over the past three seasons international commitments last year it was the Rugby World Cup, have meant that the touring party was missing key players. London Irish s first visit to Thomond Park will be used to promote the fund-raising drive for Vincent Culhane, a player with the club s thriving amateur section who received a serious neck injury while playing in a match in 2002.

Vinny comes from Limerick and played for Shannon before moving to London. London Irish is grateful to the Munster management and players for their enthusiastic help with the re-launch.

The London Irish touring party will be based at the University of Limerick Sports Complex for the duration of the tour.