Welcome return for O'Leary

RUGBY:TOO LATE for the November series but Tomás O'Leary will be building towards putting himself in the mix for Ireland's winter and spring campaign next year when he lines out for Munster against Dragons tonight at Rodney Parade.

The Irish scrumhalf has not played since he sustained a thumb injury playing for Munster against Leinster at the beginning of last month and a successful run tonight should please Irish coach Declan Kidney. A fit O’Leary will go back in the mix with Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss and Peter Stringer as Ireland move towards the Six Nations.

Lifeimi Mafi also makes a return after a seven-week suspension following a high tackle on Gordon D’Arcy in the same match in which O’Leary was injured. All in all Munster travel with a strong squad, Mafi having to wait his turn from the bench with O’Leary partnering the ever-flexible Paul Warwick at outhalf.

Doug Howlett captains a side that includes John Hayes at tighthead prop, having been released from the Irish squad. Hayes scrums down with Dave Ryan and Mike Sherry. The burgeoning Ian Nagle, who had a terrific game against Australia, partners Billy Holland in the secondrow.

The Dragons will be strengthened somewhat with the release by Wales of Aled Brew and Toby Faletau. Brew takes his place on the wing with Faletau slotting straight into the backrow.

Dragons are missing two other internationals, although clearly not as many as Munster. The Welsh side are hopeful of a home edge but with Munster leading the table with a seven-point advantage over their nearest rivals, Scarlets, and Dragons now down in 11th place, there is a fundamental disparity in strength.

Wian du Preez and New Zealand tighthead prop Peter Borlase start on the bench for this one as Munster, having won on their last three visits to Wales, aim to maintain their winning run.

DRAGONS: P Leach; A Hughes, T Riley, A Smith, A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans, P Price, T Willis, N Hall, L Charteris, R Sidoli , L Evans, G Thomas, T Faletau. Replacements: L Burns, B Castle, H Gustafson, A Jones, H Ellis, T Cheeseman, J Evans, M Jones.

MUNSTER: J Murphy; D Howlett capt, B Murphy, S Tuitupou, D Hurley; P Warwick, T O’Leary; D Ryan, M Sherry, J Hayes; B Holland, I Nagle; T O’Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, P Borlase, B Hayes, P O’Mahony, C Murray, S Deasy, L Mafi.

Referee: E Falzone (FIR).

Verdict: Munster win.