Munster prepare for two critical Magners League clashes

MUNSTER may have put their Heineken Cup campaign on hold until December, but the Magners League champions face two critical fixtures over the coming weeks.
First up for coach Tony McGahan’s Munster side is an arduous visit to Murrayfield this Friday night to face Edinburgh (8pm).
And Munster will be hoping to avoid a ‘Halloween Horror’ when second-placed Ulster visit Thomond Park on Saturday, October 31 at 5pm - Ulster inflicted an embarrassing 37-11 defeat on Munster when they met at the Limerick venue last season.
Munster travel to Scotland with a serious shortage of experienced props - John Hayes is suspended while Tony Buckley and Marcus Horan were both forced off early in the province’s heineken Cup pool one victory over Treviso at the weekend.
Buckley is struggling with a calf injury while Horan complained of feeling dizzy during the course of Saturday’s game and has been under-going tests. Munster have now just three fully fit props to call upon - French international Julien Brugnaut, the fit-again Darragh Hurley, both of whom saw action as replacements in the 41-10 win over the Italians, and former Ireland under-20 international and current Munster academy member Stephen Archer who impressed for the Munster A side in their match with Leinster on Friday night.
Munster will also have to plan without the services of Kiwi winger Doug Howlett for Friday night’s clash with fourth-placed Edinburgh as he is troubled by a hamstring injury.


Following the crucial games against Edinburgh and Ulster, Munster will have a five-week break from Magners League action while up to 22 members of the squad will be involved in full and A international action with Ireland.
Coach Tony McGahan explained: “We are playing Edinburgh and Ulster, two sides above us in the Magners League table over the next few weekends. Points taken from those two games will be vital with a view to marching up the league table.
“You go into a four-week break with probably between 11 and 13 players involved with the national squad plus two A internationals which could take another seven to eight players.
“So we could be without 22 players for a four-week period. Again we need to deal with that. We need to ensure the guys are back working hard when we come back.
“We go to the Ospreys in the Magners League in the first weekend in December and then round three and round four of the Heineken Cup. What we do at the beginning of that week will set us up for a three-week block.”
Meanwhile the holders Munster made the best possible start to the IRFU women’s inter-provincial championship when securing a highly impressive 46-0 win over Ulster at Thomond Park. Playing under floodlights and at the new Thomond Park for the first time, Munster sparkled and inspired by Limerick captain Joy Neville (UL Bohemian) ran in seven tries in all against the visitors.
Irish star Neville scored one of Munster’s tries, while her UL Bohemian club mate Patrique Kelly and Shannon’s Amanda Greensmith also crossed for touchdowns.
Fixtures to come: Munster v Leinster, Ballincollig RFC, October 31, 2.30pm. Connacht v Munster, The Sportsground, November 14, 2pm. Finals: Donnybrook, November 29.

Colm Kinsella