Munster's best head for Stradey Park
Fri, 02 May 2008 00:42
Munster will send their strongest possible squad to Wales, for their Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on Saturday, Munster's third away game in the space of six days.
Obviously excluded from the squad that travelled to Coventry for the Heineken Cup semifinal win over Saracens are Barry Murphy and Niall Ronan - who both sustained hand injuries in the game at Ravenhill earlier in the week.
Murphy could certainly be excused if he refused to travel to Belfast in the near future, if ever again.
Wednesday was the third successive occasion that he has left the north injured. Back in 2006, after he had established himself in the No.13 jersey a horrific ankle injury ended a season that culminated in Heineken Cup glory.
Murphy watched the Final that day from the stands in the company of among other walking wounded Christian Cullen and Frank Sheahan, and once again he will miss the Final having dislocated his thumb this week.
It rules him out for four to six weeks just after he had fought his way back from the shoulder injury suffered in the A game against Ulster in Shaws Bridge.
Ronan's situation is worse in that he suffered a dislocation and a fracture (thumb) that rules him out for six to eight weeks, while Keith Earls who was forced off the bench with a stomach complaint is recovering but is not included in the squad for Wales.
Munster squad: Darragh Hurley, Shaun Payne, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling, Kieran Lewis, Brian Carney, Anthony Horgan, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Peter Stringer, Tomas O'Leary, Paul Warwick, Ronan O'Gara, Marcus Horan, Federico Pucciariello, John Hayes, Tony Buckley, Frankie Sheahan, Jerry Flannery, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Donncha Ryan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Stradey Park, Llanelli
Kick-off: 14.45 (13.45 GMT)
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)
Touch Judges: Jon Mason (WRU), Alan Jenkins (WRU)
