Munster Face Tricky Border Crossing

Munster might be best advised to ignore Border Reivers’ league position and take cognisance of some of their recent home performances instead.

Last time out the Scottish side were desperately unlucky to lose to arch rivals Glasgow warriors who needed an injury time Colin Gregor try and Dan Parks touchline conversion to snatch a 20-19 victory. Before that they gave Llanelli Scarlets more than a run for their money and in October when Brian O’Driscoll’s all-signing, all-dancing Leinster fetched up here they were beaten 22-19.

If that’s not warning enough then Munster might remind themselves of the September visit by Borders to Thomond Park. That game ended in a 9-8 win for Munster but had Calum McRae converted debutante Mark Robertson’s try then the home side could have had few complaints.

For their part Munster include Mick O’Driscoll and Jerry Flannery, both bench replacements last Sunday at Croke Park and also bound for Scotland in Trevor Halstead who has been out of action since injury forced him out of the game against Dragons in early January.

Tim McGann returns to the squad from injury for the first time since early December and Alan Quinlan will also be on the plane to Edinburgh. He hasn’t played for Munster since the Heineken Cup game against Cardiff Blues in mid December but he has seen action in recent times with his club Shannon and he played a major role in Munster As win over Leinster A last week in Newbridge College.

Munster Squad: C Cullen, S Payne, B Murphy, L Mafi, T Halstead, I Dowling, J Manning, E Hickey, B O’Meara, T O’Leary, T Buckley, F Pucciariello, D Hurley, Tim Ryan, F Sheahan, J Flannery, M O’Driscoll, C Wyatt, Donncha Ryan, M Melbourne, A Quinlan, T McGann,
J Coughlan.