Cullen Named In Munster Squad

Christian Cullen returns to the Munster squad for the first time since injuring a shoulder in the Magners League game v Ulster at the end of September.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has named a squad that includes all those involved in the recent internationals – with the obvious exception of Marcus Horan – for the Magners League clash with Connacht at Thomond Park on Sunday. Also included is Christian Cullen who has not been in a Munster squad since injuring a shoulder in the game against Ulster at the end of September.

Munster ended a three match losing run in the Magners League with a 25-20 victory over the Ospreys on Saturday and have won seven of their last eight home games in all competitions.
Connacht’s only victory in their last nine games in all competitions was 16-9 over Newport Gwent Dragons on  October 13th but those statistics are misleading in assessing the worth of this Connacht side. Last time out they were desperately unlucky not to win at the Arms Park, prior to that they scored 34 points in Hughenden yet lost by a single score and held Edinburgh to a draw.

Munster: S Payne, C Cullen, A Horgan, J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, T Halstead, I Dowling, J Manning, E Hickey, R O’Gara, P Stringer, T O’Leary, F Pucciariello, D Hurley, J Hayes, F Sheahan, F Roche, A Kyriacou, M O’Driscoll, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, A Quinlan, J
O’Sullivan, D Leamy, D Wallace, T McGann.

Referee: Donal Courtney (IRFU) . Touch Judges: Colin Stanley (IRFU), Dudley Phillips (IRFU).