As expected, Rua Tipoki has been included in the Munster squad for Saturday's daunting Heineken Cup quarter-final in Gloucester.
Tipoki, a second-half replacement during last weekend's win over Connacht, has overcome the troublesome back injury that limited his involvement at the Sportsground.
Coach Declan Kidney, who ran the rule over his charges during two squad sessions in Limerick earlier today, has named an extended 27-strong panel for the trip to Kingsholm. Kidney will name his starting line-up later in the week.
Munster, meanwhile, could be set for a return visit to the scene of their greatest triumph should they overcome Gloucester to reach the last four.
The ERC announced today that Munster will play Ospreys at the Millennium Stadium in the semi-finals, providing they defeat Gloucester and the Ospreys triumph over Saracens at the weekend.
With the winners of the quarter-final games between London Irish and Perpignan and Saracens and Ospreys gaining 'home ' advantage, Munster will either meet Saracens at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry or Ospreys at the Millennium Stadium on the weekend of April 26th/27th.
A return to the Millennium Stadium would no doubt be welcome by Munster who lifted the Heineken Cup at the Millennium Stadium in 2006 and were runners-up there in 2002. The province also won the Celtic Cup at the Cardiff venue.
In the other semi-final, the winner of the Toulouse or Cardiff Blues clash will meet either London Irish at Twickenham Stadium or Perpignan at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier.
Tickets for the Heineken Cup semi-finals will go sale on Sunday,
April 6th
Munster Squad:
Forwards: 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.
Backs: 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.
