A Munster spokesman said that the playing surface at Musgrave Park was covered and they were optimistic it would be playable for this Sunday’s game which has a 5pm kick-off time.
The spokesman revealed this Wednesday that a contingency plan had been put in place to transfer the fixture to Limerick’s Thomond Park should Musgrave Park be deemed unplayable due to the freezing temperatures.
Should the venue for the round 11 tie need to be changed, then such a decision will be made on Saturday.
The pitch at Musgrave Park is due to be inspected at lunchtime this Friday in the presence of a referee and again on Saturday evening.
Munster officials are keeping Llanelli officials updated on the situation.
The safety of supporters standing on terraces inside Musgrave Park as well as on the approach roads to the ground will be key factors in determining whether this weekend’s game goes ahead. Munster Rugby chiefs have plans to use a grit mix of salt and sand to ensure surfaces are safe for fans attending the game should the freezing temperatures continue.
Munster will bid to record their ninth straight win against the Llanelli Scarlets when they sides meet in a crucial Magners League tie at Musgrave Park this Sunday (5pm).
Holders Munster are clinging to the fourth and final pay-off spot in the Magners League table as a result of their 15-10 defeat at the hands of Ulster in Ravenhill last weekend.
With the three sides directly below Munster in the table all within three points of Tony McGahan’s men, each of the Magners League holders’ eight remaining fixtures in the regular season is crucial.
On the back of Munster’s loss to Ulster in Ravenhill at the weekend, the Magners League holders will be anxious to record a sixth victory of the campaign in order to keep in touch with the league pace-setters.
Following Sunday’s game Munster will take a break from Magners League action for six weeks until Friday, February 19 when Edinburgh visit Musgrave Park.
However, Munster will be involved in their final two Heineken Cup pool matches later this month.
Tony McGahan’s men visit the Stadio di Monigo to face Benetton Treviso on Saturday, January 16 before hosting the Northampton Saints in their final pool fixture at Thomond Park on Friday, January 22.
Munster manager, Shaun Payne believes it will be the final rounds of the Magners League in April before the outcome of the fiercely fought battle for top four play-off places is finally known.
Shaun Payne said: “The Magners League has been fiercely competitive. There is something like seven or eight points separating the top seven sides in the competition at the moment.
“It will be April before we get a clear idea as to which sides will make it through to the play-offs.”
The Magners League semi-finals will take place in mid-May with the Grand Final set for Saturday, May 29 with a provisional kick-off time of 6.30pm.
Munster are set to welcome back their Irish internationals, including the likes of Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, David Wallace and Keith Earls into their squad for Sunday’s game in Cork.
The Irish stars have been on two weeks of ‘active rest’ following their demanding playing schedule in the autumn internationals, Heineken Cup and Magners League in recent months.
Prop Marcus Horan, who has been sidelined since coming off in Munster’s Heineken Cup Pool match with Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park in October remains in line to make his return to competitive rugby action this weekend.
Marcus Horan had been due to feature for Shannon in their ODM Munster Senior Cup semi-final clash with UCC at Clifford Park on Saturday last. However, the game fell victim to the current cold snap.
A decision was due this Wednesday on whether Horan would be included in Munster’s squad for Sunday’s Magners League tie with the Scarlets or whether he would feature in Shannon’s squad for their scheduled All-ireland League Division 1A clash with St Mary’s College at templeville Road the previous day.
Munster’s starting line-up to face the Scarlets will be confirmed this Friday.
Munster will be hoping to extend their excellent home record of which has seen the province win each of their last 13 fixtures at Thomond Park and Musgrave Park in all competitions.
Munster’s 22-20 victory over the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in the Magners League in September made it eight successive wins for the Irish province over the Welsh side.
The Scarlets last victory over Munster was their 24-15 heineken Cup quarter-final victory in March 2007.
The Scarlets’ international fly half Stephen Jones will be an absentee when the Welsh side face Munster this weekend after injuring a shoulder against the Dragons on New Year’s Eve.
The Scarlets’ 14-9 victory over the Dragons ended a four game losing streak in all competitions.
Colm Kinsella
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