Munster Team to Face Warriors

Mike Mullins, Anthony Horgan and Christian Cullen return from injury to the Munster side for the Celtic League game against Celtic Warriors in Sardis Road on Friday.

Mike Mullins, Anthony Horgan and Christian Cullen return from injury to the Munster side for the Celtic League game against Celtic Warriors in Sardis Road on Friday.

And in the pack Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, David Wallace and Anthony Foley also return from international duty to to bolster the side in the final game ahead of the Heineken Cup quarter final match against Stade Francais on Saturday week.

Further good cheer for Munster team and supporters is the news that Ronan O’Gara has been given the all clear following an MRI scan that has shown that the injury he suffered in training is nothing more serious than a slight sprain and he will be fit in time for the Stade clash.

It was news that Gaffney in his own words was “mighty relieved to hear. Ronan is a very special player, ” Gaffney said. “Besides his attributes as a goal kicker he just such an important player in the Munster context. Besides him we really only have Jeremy (Staunton) as a place kicker, and I say that with all due respects to those we tried in the Celtic League, players like Mossie, Rob and Dutchy (Jason Holland).”

The news on Jeremy Staunton is that he will play for Garryowen in the AIL League game against Blackrock on Saturday as part of his rehab and again he is expected to be in contention for a place in the Heineken Cup squad for the Stade game.

Mullins returns after being out with a fractured jaw received in an international training session while Horgan injured ribs in the Celtic League game against Ulster and Cullen missed out last wekend’s game in Glasgow because of a back strain. All three took a full part in training in Thomond Park this morning.

Munster Team:

Christian Cullen, John kelly, Mike Mullins, Rob Henderson, Anthony Horgan, Jason Holland, Eoin Reddan, Frank Roche, Jerry Flanery, Gordon McIlwham, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell. Jim Williams (C), David Wallace, Anthony Foley.

Replacements: Martin Cahill, Ross Callaghan, David Pusey, Stephen Keogh, Frank Murphy, Mossie Lawlor, Shaun Payne.