Munster are clinging to the fourth and final play-off spot ahead of Sunday’s crucial Magners League round 11 clash with the struggling Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park (5pm). However, 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 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 for 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 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, Keith Earls, Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace 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 against Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park in October remains in line to make his return to competitive rugby this weekend.
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, that game fell victim to the current cold snap.
Horan may be included in Munster’s squad for Sunday’s Magners League tie with the Scarlets or he may feature in Shannon’s squad for their All-ireland League Division 1A clash with St. Mary’s College on Saturday.
The Munster squad will be named this Wednesday, with the starting line-up confirmed on Friday.
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.
Colm Kinsella
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