Munster Include Dowling And Tipoki
Rua Tipoki and Ian Dowling, who both picked up injuries in the game against Montauban, have been included in Munster’s 25-strong squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup Pool 1 clash with Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park (kick-off 1pm).
Neither player trained on Tuesday – Ian Dowling has a dead leg and Rua Tipoki is nursing a thigh strain – but there is optimism that both will be given the all clear by the medics in time for Sunday’s game.
Kieran Lewis and Denis Hurley have been drafted into the squad as has Tony Buckley who has recovered from a bout of illness.
Sale’s win in Clermont impressed Munster coach Tony McGahan. He said: “To win like they did out there says it all really. I watched the game and I thought they competed extremely hard in defence and made the very most of their opportunites when they arose.
“Added to that win and their form in the Guinness Premiership, they’ve won four from five and conceded just four tries, and it gives you and idea of the size of the task we face over there.
“But we knew before this competition kicked off that there would be no easy games, home or away, so nothing has changed in that respect.
“We’ll be looking to give a good account of ourselves and see where that takes us,” he added.
MUNSTER Squad (v Sale Sharks): Backs (12) – Denis Hurley, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett, Barry Murphy, Kieran Lewis, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling, Paul Warwick, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Mike Prendergast.
Forwards (13) – Federico Pucciariello, Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty, Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, John Hayes, Paul O’Connell (capt), Donncha O’Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, John O’Sullivan, Justin Melck.