Strong Squad for Stradey

Munster will send their strongest possible squad to Wales for the weekend Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets, this being Munster’s third away game in the space of six days.

Obviously excluded from the squad that travelled to Coventry for the Heineken Cup semi final win over Saracens are Barry Murphy and Niall Ronan who both sustained hand injuries in the game last night in Ravenhill.

Murphy could certainly be excused if he refused to travel to Belfast in the near future, if ever again.  Last night was the third successive occasion that he has left the north injured. Back in 2006, after he had established himself in the number 13 jersey a horrific ankle injury ended a season that culminated in Heineken Cup glory. Murphy  watched the final that day from the stands in the company of among other walking wounded Christian Cullen and Frank Sheahan and once again he will miss the final having dislocated his thumb last night which rules him out for 4-6 weeks just after he had fought his way back from the shoulder injury suffered in the A game against Ulster in Shaws Bridge.

Ronan’s situation is worse in that he suffered a dislocation and a fracture (thumb) that rules him out for 6-8 weeksl while Keith Earls who was forced off the bench with a stomach complaint is recovering but is not included in the squad for Wales.

Munster’s Llanelli squad trained today in Garryowen FC without the players on duty last night but those who may be involved with their AIL League clubs at the weekend will train with their clubs this evening

Munster: D Hurley, S Payne, D Howlett, I Dowling, K Lewis, B Carney, A Horgan, R Tipoki, L Mafi, P Stringer, T O’Leary, P Warwick, R O’Gara, M Horan, F Pucciariello, J Hayes, T Buckley, F Sheahan, J Flannery, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, P O’Connell, D Ryan, A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy, A Foley.