Kidney Names His Strongest Squad

Munster coach Declan Kidney was able to name a near full strength squad at yesterday’s media day in UL following a training session on the Sports Bowl.

The lunchtime session was watched from the Arena restaurant by two of those not in consideration – Barry Murphy and Niall Ronan – who were both sporting casts on their respective thumb injuries that they sustained in the game against Ulster last month.

Nor was there any sign of Federico Pucciariello, Mick O’Driscoll or Tomas O’Leary who al missed the session with varying ailments but were included in the 26 strong squad are expected to be in contention when Kidney sits down to decide what his match day 22 will be.

That squad will be announced on Friday at a joint press conference with Toulouse (respective coach/captains) from the Millennium Stadium at 1 pm.

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