Wallace Returns To Munster Action

David Wallace makes a welcome return to the Munster shirt named at open-side in the side to play Glasgow Warriors in Firhill tomorrow night, ko 7.30pm.

Wallace is joined in the back-row by Denis Leamy who was a late withdrawal from the side last week with a rib injury.

Darragh Hurley is included on the bench replacing John Hayes, who was named in the original squad and was forced to withdraw with a back strain.

Damien Varley takes over from the injured Denis Fogarty with Academy hooker Sean Henry, so impressive in the “A Interprovincial” game against Ulster, his back up.

Injuries to Felix Jones and Ian Dowling have forced a reshuffle in the backs with Paul Warwick starting at 15 and Johne Murphy, operating in the outside centre channel up to now, reverting to the wing with Lifeimi Mafi restored to the centre after a bout on the sidelines while he recovered from a shoulder injury.

Mafi joins his compatriot Sam Tuitupou in the centre and besides his obvious strike threat, his defensive contribution in the “A” game against Ulster last Friday where he put in some shuddering tackles was hugely impressive for a fella coming back from his type of injury. That defensive display was replicated by Tuitupou the following day against the Ospreys.

Outside them they have Doug Howlett in a rich vein of form and with Murphy in his more familiar position, Warwick at full back and O'Gara to pull the strings, Munster have a potent attacking option.

Munster: P Warwick, D Howlett, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, J Murphy, R O'Gara, T O'Leary, M Horan, D Varley, T Buckley, D O'Callaghan, D Ryan, D Wallace, N Ronan, D Leamy capt. Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, Darragh Hurley, M O'Driscoll, J Coughlan, P Stringer, S Deasy, D Hurley.