Munster Top Pool Four.

Munster came through their second Heineken Cup Pool game with their 100% record intact, eight points in the bag and they lead Pool 4 one point ahead of Castres Olympique.

Munster came through their second Heineken Cup Pool game with their 100% record intact, eight points in the bag and they lead Pool 4, one point ahead of Castres Olympique. They now switch their attention back to the Celtic League with a trip to Ravenhill next on their agenda (Saturday).

They ll face into that game without 11 internationals who have left to join up with the national squad in preparation for the autumn internationals. There is the possibility that Eddie O Sullivan might release some players back to the provinces for some games players like Donncha O Callaghan for example who is desperately short of game time.

Other than Marcus Horan who had six stitches inserted in a forehead wound sustained when Richard Mustoe kicked him on the ground, Munster seem to have come out of the Ospreys game relatively unscathed. It is understood that Mustoe was yellow-carded for an incident not related to the stamp on Horan and if that is the case then they are entitled to have the serious incident investigated. It is expected that the Munster management will decide on what course of action to take once they have reviewed the incident on video.

TV footage however, quite clearly shows Mustoe kickng back and catching Horan on the face with his studs.

Earlier today (Monday 1 November, 2004) an independent Disciplinary Committee, comprised of Chairman, Terry Vaux (WRU), John West (IRFU) and Caleb Powell (IRFU) met in Dublin to hear the citing complaint by Glasgow Rugby against Northampton Saints flanker Darren Fox for an alleged head-butt (illegal use of the head) following the Heineken Cup Pool 3 Round 1 match at Hughenden on Sunday, 24th October.

After viewing the video the complaint was upheld and Fox received an eight week suspension which will rule him out of the next two Pool rounds. The player, who was ordered to pay the legal costs of the hearing, has the right of appeal.