Munster Aim, To Maintain Momentum

With that win over the USA Eagles under their belts the aim for Munster is to maintain momemtum as they continue their preparation for the coming season.

Their opening Magners League game (v Llanelli Scarlets, Musgrave Park) is just over two weeks and Friday’s encounter with Saracens sees Munster coach make just three changes from the side that started that game in Chicago’s Toyota Park.

Anthony Horgan, so impressive against The Eagles,  makes way for Ian Dowling on the wing while Tomas O’Leary starts ahead of Gerry Hurley who also made such a good impression when making his debut.

The one change in the pack is forced because of the cruciate ligament injury sustained by John O’Sullivan against the Eagles. His misfortune affords Kidney the opportunity to see how young Billy Holland is progressing, the Academy player selected at blindside wing-forward alongside Niall Ronan and Anthony Foley who once again captains the side.

Included among the replacements is Rua Tipoki who is expected to make his first appearance in a Munster match shirt at some stage during the course of Friday’s game.

Speaking about the importance of Friday’s game, coach Declan Kidney said, ” It is very important to build momentum going into the new season. We have started well with that game in the States but Friday’s game against one of the top English sides presents a whole different type of challenge and one we are certainly looking forward to.”

Alan Gaffney meanwhile has been forced to reshuffle his squad after  Glen Jackson and Brent Russell were ruled through training ground injury.

Jackson will be out for four weeks after injuring an ankle  in training on Tuesday while Russell broke a collar bone in a heavy fall yesterday and will be out of action for 12 weeks.

Munster: M Lawlor; J Kelly, K Lewis, L Mafi, I Dowling; P Warwick, T O’Leary; F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, T Buckley; D Ryan, M O’Driscoll; B Holland, N Ronan, A Foley capt
Replacements: Darragh Hurley, S Cronin, M Melbourne, J Coughlan, G Hurley, J Manning, R Tipoki.

Saracens (squad): Yates, Lloyd, Cairns, Kyriacou, Mercey, Ryder, Vyvyan, Fullarton, Chesney, Matadigo, Hill, Hall, Gustard, Skirving, Seymour, De Kock, Dickens, Jackson (injured) Ross, Thrower, Scrabrough, Russell (injured), Powell, Sorrell, Haughton, Penney