Munster forced to mix and match for tricky trip

MAGNERS LEAGUE CONNACHT v MUNSTER:MUNSTER RESOURCES are fully stretched at the moment with the province operating on three fronts. The most pressing matter is the trip to Galway this Sunday to face a Connacht team riding on a crest of a wave after reaching the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals .

Anthony Foley is currently gearing up the A team – they were in England last night playing Esher RFC – ahead of their meeting with Ulster next week in the British and Irish Cup semi-final, while the Heineken Cup match against Biarritz on the May bank holiday weekend looms large over everything.

As a result, Connacht must like the look of the Munster squad ahead of a fixture Michael Bradley’s charges won last season 12-6.

There is still no Paul O’Connell – meaning Ronan O’Gara will continue as captain – with Keith Earls (like O’Connell struggling with a groin injury), Doug Howlett (hamstring) and Ian Dowling (knee) all given a week of rehabilitation.

The loss of three wingers sees Ireland under-20s flyer Simon Zebo promoted to the senior squad along with another young player of serious potential, 20-year-old Danny Barnes.

Denis Leamy remains on the long-term injury list so James Coughlan has a chance to cement his place at number eight. The inclusion of Coughlan, Nick Williams and props Julien Brugnaut and Dave Ryan is bad news for Dolphin RFC ahead of their AIL semi-final against Cork Constitution this Saturday.

That said, Con are potentially going to lose Jeremy Manning, Scott Deasy, Zebo and backrower Peter O’Mahoney.

A Connacht squad is expected tomorrow with the only doubt being flanker Ray Ofisa who is suffering from vertigo. They are currently four points adrift of Ulster, whose season officially descended into crisis after Tuesday’s 38-27 defeat to the Ospreys at Ravenhill, and the westerners now have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, tickets for Connacht’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon on April 30th (kick-off 7.45pm) will be available to purchase at the Munster match.

The Sportsground capacity is to be increased with temporary stands, which have been rubberstamped by the ERC. Tickets for the main stand and ground will cost €30 each, with concession tickets €20 and juniors €10. A limited number of enclosed stand tickets cost €40 each. Season ticket holders will be offered first option with a €5 discount.

Munster squad: S Deasy, S Zebo, T Gleeson, L Mafi, J de Villiers, D Barnes, R O’Gara, P Warwick, J Manning, T O’Leary, P Stringer, J Coughlan, N Ronan, P O’Mahoney, A Quinlan, D Wallace, N Williams, B Holland, D Foley, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, D Fogarty, J Flannery, D Varley, M Horan, J Hayes, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, D Ryan.