Munster’s extended Squad for trip to Glasgow

After the break for the World Cup final, Munster resume their Magners League campaign with a trip to Glasgow and the game against a Warriors side with an identical record – two wins from four outings to date in the competition.

Munster are one position and one point better off than Friday’s opponents but the Warriors have won their last two games (v Leinster and Connacht) while Munster have lost their last two. And co-incidentally Warriors suffered their losses against the Cardiff Blues, the side that ended Munster’s six game unbeaten Magners League and Ospreys who lowered Munster’s colours last time out.

When the sides met last, in the final round games last season Munster won 38-20 at Musgrave Park but its been three years since Munster won in Glasgow and in dramatic circumstances. On that occasion a Dan Parks penalty in the closing moments seemed certain to give the home side victory but with the last kick of the game Ronan O’Gara landed a drop goal to edge Munster to a 28-26 victory. 

O’Gara will miss out on this trip as will squad captain Paul O’Connell. O’Gara is still hampered by a knee injury picked up in the latter stages of the RWC Pool stages while O’Connell sustaines a slight back strain in training. Munster coach Declan Kidney however is confident both will be in consideration for the following week’s game against Edinburgh in Musgrave Park and his 26 strong squad includes all those who were with O’Gara and O’Connell in France.

Also included in a Munster squad for the first time this season is Barry Murphy while there is a return to action also for Anthony Horgan who retired injured (hamstring) in the game against Cardiff Blues.

Munster will complete their preparations for the Glasgow game tomorrow in Limerick and the starting line-up will be announced on Thursday lunchtime before the squad depart for Scotland.

With the AIL kicking off on Saturday Kidney will reduce the travelling squad in order to allow those not involved in Friday’s game be available to their clubs if required.

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