WITH hooker Paul Cunningham ruled out because of a back injury, former Ireland captain Terry Kingston retains his place on the Munster side to meet Ulster in the Interprovincial Championship decider at Thomond Park on Saturday.
Cunningham, who missed the twin over Leinster last Saturday, was ruled out of contention following medical examination yesterday. Munster have, therefore, named an unchanged side from that which beat defending champions Leinster in Donnybrook last Saturday. Wing Brian Begley, who had to go off the field just before the interval last Saturday after sustaining a knock on the head, has been passed fit.
Frank Sheehan (UCC), who had been selected on the Munster Development side to meet the Ulster Development XV on Saturday, will now serve as replacement hooker on the senior side. David Lee (Cork Constitution) will fill the hooking berth on the Development team.
The Ulster team is also unchanged from the side that defeated Connacht at Ravenhill last Saturday. The panel of replacements also remains unaltered.
Munster are the only team with a 100 per cent record in the series and a draw next Saturday will be sufficient to regain a title they last won two years ago.
The Leinster selectors have made two changes from the side that lost to Mu aster last Saturday for the match against Connacht at the Sportsground on Saturday. But both alterations are enforced.
Paddy Gavin (Old Belvedere) comes in on the right wing, to make his 26th appearance for the province at senior level, in place of David Coleman, who damaged a hamstring in the match against Munster. In the pack, Paul Flavin (Blackrock) will be at loosehead prop for Henry Hurley, who is required for an English League match by his club Moseley.
Flavin's place in the replacement panel goes to Peter truce (Terenure). Dean Oswald, who was the original choice at openside flanker for the Munster game but was ruled out by a hip injury, was not considered.
Stephen Rooney retains the openside position. The Connacht team will be selected this evening.
Leinster Senior League holders Terenure College will have Joey Muldowney back at out-half for the league tie against Blackrock College on Saturday. He takes over from Paul Hennebry. Owen Redmond deputises for Colin Potts in, the second row as Potts is not available. Terenure must also find a replacement for Bruce at prop. He was named in the side before the Leinster replacement panel was announced.
Greystones will be without second row Tony Casey for their league match against UCD. Casey will be in the Defence Force's side against Connacht A. They have also left a back row berth open pending the availability of Victor Megannetty.
Old Wesley have John Caird at full back in the absence of team captain Conor Hoey for their league engagement against St Mary's College. Bill Casey plays on the right wing and Jim Sherwin and Jordan O'Sullivan form the half back pairing. Former Cambridge Blue Moss Cox is at tighthead prop. Old Wesley leave a vacancy in the second row. Greg Duffy will not be available as he is a Leinster replacement.
