Munster delay naming squad

Rugby: The Munster management has delayed naming the squad to face Ulster in the Magners League on Friday until tomorrow, because…

Rugby:The Munster management has delayed naming the squad to face Ulster in the Magners League on Friday until tomorrow, because the province is without 21 players for the Ravenhill match.

Tony McGahan was expected to reveal his matchday squad today but a press statement this afternoon said the attendance at training in University of Limerick was “very threadbare”.

The majority of those missing make up a 10-strong injury list, while two (Lifeimi Mafi and Sam Tuitupou) are suspended and nine remain on international duty with Ireland.

Prop John Hayes, scrumhalf Peter Stringer and wing Johne Murphy have, however, been released from the Irish camp for the weekend and team manager Shaun Payne is confident the table-toppers will have enough to work with come Friday.

"I've said all along that this season we've perhaps our strongest squad,” he said today, “and I certainly think that the side that we select for Friday will reflect that."

Should Stringer start, and the indications are that he will, the Ireland veteran will become only the third player to win 200 competitive caps for his province.

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