Cullen, Mullins lose battle to make Cardiff

Christian Cullen and Mike Mullins have lost a battle for fitness and form ahead of Munster's Heineken European Cup final clash against Biarritz at the Millennium stadium on Saturday.

Former All Black fullback Cullen has endured a nightmare 13 months, largely on the sidelines. A second shoulder operation prevented him from playing for most of that time, but on returning to competitive action he damaged a hamstring and then an ankle.

Munster captain Anthony Foley admitted: "It's a crushing blow for a genuine bloke who had battled back from a serious shoulder injury.

"I know he'll come back from this because of his strength of character."

Mullins, too, has been dogged by a succession of injuries, starting in the pre-season.

It means Munster's options in the three-quarter line are seriously diminished. John Kelly (bruised shoulder) took "a good part in training" but remains doubtful. There's no doubting his bravery, but he can't really wince his way through a European Cup final or compromise his team's chances.

There was better news for coach Declan Kidney in that Rob Henderson, who limped out of the semi-final against Leinster with a sore ankle after coming on as a replacement, has come through the last two training sessions.

If Kelly fails to recover, then former Ireland and Lions centre Henderson seems likely to partner Trevor Halstead in midfield with Tomás O'Leary, ostensibly the replacement scrumhalf, the other main contender.

Ronan O'Gara didn't train with the team yesterday as he confessed to "feeling a bit off colour", and in the light of the injury woes, Munster will wrap him in cotton wool until the weekend.

Kidney pointed out that Marcus Horan (torn calf) did some contact work. "It's looking positive, but a lot will depend on how he feels when he wakes up in the morning. We'll know more then."

There is a feeling that Horan will do well to make the bench - otherwise Eugene McGovern should be included among the replacements - with Federico Pucciariello starting the match.

Paul O'Connell's rehabilitation is on schedule, although one suspects that there would have to be an amputation to prevent him from running out in Cardiff on Saturday.

The pack is likely to be the same that started the semi-final against Leinster, and if Kelly is fit then the backline should be retained en masse.

The team will fly to Cardiff on Friday in keeping with the normal travel schedule that they maintain ahead of trips to Wales. They are not going to alter their preparation in deference to this match.

No decision has been taken on whether the roof at the Millennium stadium will be open, but, as the Munster camp pointed out, that decision taken by the stadium authorities pertains more to the spectators than the players.

Munster and Biarritz will announce their respective teams at a joint press conference in Cardiff on Friday at 2.15pm).

MUNSTER SQUAD: S Payne, I Dowling, A Horgan, M Lawler, R Henderson, T Halstead, J Kelly, R O'Gara, P Stringer, J Manning, T O'Leary, M Horan, E McGovern, J Flannery, J Hayes, F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, T Hogan, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, A Quinlan, S Keogh, D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley.