Munster Boosted By International Contingent
Ireland internationals Paul O’Connell, Alan Quinlan, Tony Buckley and Peter Stringer have all been included in the Munster squad for Saturday’s Magners League encounter with Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park (kick-off 5.30pm).
Quinlan, Buckley and Stringer all started in the recent win against Edinburgh, while O’Connell made his first senior appearance of the season for Munster from the bench before going on to return to Ireland action against Scotland at Croke Park last Saturday.
Hooker Jerry Flannery has returned to training following a groin strain but was not deemed ready for selection for this game while centre Rua Tipoki suffered a slight back strain in training and was also omitted from the squad as a precaution.
Munster lie in third place in the league table, one place above Saturday’s opponents who are on the same points tally (29) as Declan Kidney’s side. Kidney will announce his starting team and replacements tomorrow afternoon.
MUNSTER Squad (v Cardiff Blues): Forwards (14) – Federico Pucciariello, Tony Buckley, Darragh Hurley, Frankie Sheahan, Denis Fogarty, Paul O’Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Mark Melbourne, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Tommy O’Donnell, John O’Sullivan, Anthony Foley.
Backs (10) – Shaun Payne, Brian Carney, Ian Dowling, Doug Howlett, Kieran Lewis, Lifeimi Mafi, Paul Warwick, Jeremy Manning, Tomas O’Leary, Peter Stringer.