Horan And Wallace Miss Out For Munster

With squad captain Paul O’Connell listed amongst the replacements, Ronan O’Gara will lead Munster in their must-win game against Leinster.

In all, Munster coach Declan Kidney has made three personnel changes to the side that beat Gloucester in a memorable Heineken Cup quarter-final at Kingsholm last Saturday.

O’Gara will be partnered at half-back by the returning Peter Stringer in the only change to the back-line that started last time out against Gloucester.

Up front Tony Buckley comes in for Marcus Horan, a late withdrawal for the Gloucester game in the front row, while Mick O’Driscoll joins Donncha O’Callaghan in the second row.

With David Wallace sidelined, Anthony Foley’s return to the number 8 jersey sees a back row reshuffle. Denis Leamy moves to from number 8 to the openside position.

Looking forward to the game, Munster boss Kidney said: “Munster-Leinster games have always been great occasions and I don’t expect this one to be any different. We have two good sides, we’ll have a full house and two teams with a lot to play for.

“You couldn’t ask for more than that. I think the whole occasion will be a great advertisement for the Magners League competition.

“In terms of the selection, we have a good panel and players are always looking for games. With a squad like ours, it’s easy to make changes, sometimes easier to leave the team the same but we’ve tried to come up with the right mix.”

MUNSTER (v Leinster): Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki, Ian Dowling; Ronan O’Gara (capt), Peter Stringer; Tony Buckley, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley.

Replacements: Frankie Sheahan, Federico Pucciariello, Paul O’Connell, Niall Ronan, Tomas O’Leary, Paul Warwick, Kieran Lewis.