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Munster Side Shows Seven Changes

21st March 2008 By Munster Rugby

Munster Side Shows Seven Changes

Munster’s number 8 Anthony Foley is set to win his 195th competitive cap tomorrow in the Magners League clash with Ulster, in a side that shows seven changes from the one beaten in injury tme at the Arms Park last time out.

 In the backline Denis Hurley replaces Shaun Payne at full back with Ian Dowling preferred to Brian Carney on the wing and Tomas O’Leary starting as partner to Ronan O’Gara instead of Peter Stringer.

With Stringer out of international favour during the RBS Six Nations, his availability to Munster resulted in O’Leary getting very little game time and management feel it prudent to address that situation with the next stage of the Heineken Cup looming.

In the pack coach Declan Kidney retains the same back row that started in Cardiff but in the front row Marcus Horan comes in for Federico Pucciariello and fit again Jerry Flannery gets much needed game time ahead of Frank Sheahan.

Mick O’Driscoll’s experience gives him the nod over Donnacha Ryan who is named on a very strong looking bench that includes Sheahan, Stringer and their fellow internationals John Hayes and Donncha O’Callaghan.

Looking forward to the game Kidney emphasising the importance of the game said, ”  We are fully focussed on tomorrow’s game. Its a huge game for us because we are fully aware that we have to win our remaining seven games to put pressure on the League leaders.

“Ulster have won all their games since the appointment of their new coach Matt Williams, so they’ve built up momentum and we know we are up against it tomorrow.”

And with the international squad members back, selection was that bit more difficult ?  ” With this group of players its always diffcult. Its great of course to have the internationals back, to be working again with a full squad. But those not involved at international levels have trained really well and worked hard in the period when the others were away. I think the team we’ve selected for tomorrow reflects that .”

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, K Lewis, L Mafi, I Dowling; R O’Gara, T O’Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, T Buckley; M O’Driscoll, P O’Connell capt; A Quinlan, N Ronan, A Foley. Replacements: F Sheahan, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, D Ryan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, P Warwick. 
 

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