Same Again For Munster

Munster have named the same personnel as those entrusted with downing Gloucester, for the Magners League clash with League leaders Leinster at the RDS on Saturday.

That means that both David Wallace and Marcus Horan are included in Declan Kidney’s 27 strong squad for the trip to Dublin. Horan was forced out of last Saturday’s game against Gloucester literally less than an hour before kick-off with a back spasm while Wallace took a heavy knock to the face in the latter stages of the game.

Both players however were in UL this morning for squad training and while neither took a full part in training their injuries are as Kidney explained, healing satisfactorally enough to allow them be considered for the weekend.

“With Marcus and the nature of his knock, it can be difficult to say how things pan out and although he didn’t train today, he is improving and hopefully he will able to train Thursday.

“In David’s case, he took a heavy facial knock on Saturday, but he did some light training today and again like Marcus, we will know a bit more on Thursday and would expect both to be in the mix for selection.”

Munster are eleven points adrift of leaders Leinster and although they have a game in hand, that game has now been fixed for April 29th, two days after they contest their seventh Heineken Cup semi-final, meaning the Magners League title lies firmly in Leinster’s grasp no matter what happens on Saturday.

Looking forward to Say=urday Kidney says, “These local derbies have a life of their own, They really are great occasions. You’ll have two good sides playing in front of a full house at the RDS. It’s a marvellous advertisement for the Magners League.

“Leinster are 11 points clear, they’ve shown great consistency and deserve to be where they are. All that and in front of their home support ? It’s going to take a huge effort to get anything from this.

“But look, last week we played the Premiership leaders. This week it’s the Magners League leaders, another challenge, great for everyone involved.”

Munster Squad: John Hayes, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Federico Pucciariello, Jerry Flannery, Frank Sheahan, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan, M O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley, Niall Ronan.

Shaun Payne, Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett, Kieran Lewis, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Brian Carney, Ian Dowling, Paul Warwick, Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary, Peter Stringer.