McGahan: ‘It’s been an OK season, but the real goal is to finish with silverware’

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan believes his side have had an ‘ok’ season to date, but qualifying for the Magners League play-offs gives the competition’s holders a chance to claiming some precious silverware.
Standing in the way of Munster’s appearance in the Magners League Grand Final later this month are arch rivals Leinster. The Irish provinces come face-to-face in a glamour semi-final clash at the RDS this Saturday evening (8pm).


Munster have suffered defeat in each of their last three meetings with Leinster including a 30-0 drubbing at the hands of Michael Cheika’s men on their most recent Magners League visit to the RDS in October.
Munster have been installed as 6/4 outsiders with the bookies to prevail in this Saturday’s tie and that seems like a fair quote from the layers. 8/15 favourites Leinster bounced back from their Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Toulouse in impressive fashion against Edinburgh last weekend.
And Munster’s long list of injury worries is another reason why the home side deserved the tag of favourites this weekend.
Coach McGahan delayed naming his squad for Saturday’s until this Wednesday as a result of on-going injury doubts over several key players. Winger Ian Dowling and captain Paul O’Connell have already been ruled out of Saturday’s tie. Keith Earls is rated a doubtful starter for the clash due to an on-going groin injury.
Coach McGahan is hopeful that the vastly experienced winger Doug Howlett will be available for the trip to Dublin. The coach is also keeping his fingers crossed that hooker Jerry Flannery, who missed the weekend defeat to the Cardiff Blues as a result of a calf strain and lock Mick O’Driscoll, who has been troubled with an ankle injury, will both be fit for selection. The Munster management team also moved to refute earlier media reports suggesting Paul O’Connell had undergone surgery for his on-going groin injury. In a statement, a Munster spokesman indicated that O’Connell was admitted to hospital in Cork in order to facilitate the application of antibiotics for an infection related to his groin injury.
Prop John Hayes, who was rested for Sunday’s trip to Cardiff, will return to the squad this weekend.
Coach McGahan said the players had been boosted by their gritty performance at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday when the losing bonus point secured against the Blues in a one-point defeat ensured their passage to the play-offs.
“Look, it’s been an OK season, but the real goal for us is to finish with silverware and we have to give ourselves every opportunity with 80 tough minutes on Saturday,” Tony McGahan said this week in UL.
“We haven’t shied away from the fact that we have been inconsistent this particular season.
“We’ve had some excellent days out, but, at the same time, we’ve certainly let ourselves down with inconsistency right across the park.
“It hasn’t been limited to one or two areas, it’s been set-piece perspective, it’s been attack, it’s been defence, it’s been breakdown, it’s been goal-kicking, it’s been field-kicking. We haven’t really been able to gel everything together. We’ve reached a semi-final in the Heineken Cup, we’re into a semi-final in the Magners League, and we’ve got a final with the A team at the weekend. I think in the weekend game with Cardiff - even though we didn’t win - we had done enough to get the result and that has certainly given the squad a big boost.
“Heading into a semi final weekend, in Dublin, there is plenty to be pleased about and we are certainly looking forward to that aspect of it . . .
“I think the kicking game is going to be a huge part of the weekend.
“Leinster certainly demonstrated over the last number of years and especially so in this particular year their physicality in their carrying and the physicality in their defence. So that’s going to be a real area for us.”
Leinster captain Leo Cullen misses Saturday’s game due to a shoulder injury. However, out-half Jonathan Sexton, who sustained a broken jaw in the Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Clermont Auvergne, is included in the squad for Saturday’s showdown.
Iarnrod Eireann have announced that they will provide a return train service from Dublin to Limerick for Munster supporters. The auxiliary train will depart Heuston Station at 11.15pm calling at Thurles, Limerick Junction and Limerick. Further details at: www.irishrail.ie

Sam Tuitupou
Meanwhile Munster have confirmed that Worcester Warriors centre Sam Tuitupou will join them - subject to the usual medical and fitness examinations - at the start of the next season along with Leicester Tigers and Ireland Wolfhounds winger Johne Murphy. Twenty-eight-year-old Tuitupou played nine times for the All Blacks between 2004 and 2006 and was a regular for Auckland Blues in the Super 14 before moving to English side Worcester in 2007.
Back row Tommy O’Donnell, prop Dave Ryan and scrum half Duncan Williams have moved up from development contracts to senior contracts as Munster finalise their squad for next season. O’Donnell, Ryan and Williams have all featured for Munster in the Magners League this season. Academy players Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Stephen Archer, Scott Deasy, Peter O’Mahony and Danny Barnes have been promoted to full development contracts with the province.
Training-contracted player Declan Cusack, of Thomond, who is Munster’s top scorer in the British & Irish Cup, has also been impressing the province’s management. The exciting out-half has been bumped up to a full development contract.

Young Munster
Meanwhile Young Munster were chosen as Senior Club of the Year Munster Rugby’s annual awards which took place on Sunday night.
Munsters’ scooped the award on the back of an excellent season which saw the Clifford Park club gain promotion to Division 1A of the AIL, as well as claiming the ODM Munster Senior Cup and Limerick Charity Cup.
Mick O’Driscoll was selected as the Munster Player of the Year beating off Keith Earls, David Wallace and Denis Fogarty for the award. O’Driscoll was selected as the award winner by readers of the Irish Examiner. Scott Deasy claimed the Academy Player of the Year Award, while the Young Player of the Year accolade went to Billy Holland. The School of the Year award went to Crescent College Comprehensive, winners of this season’s Munster Schools Junior Cup. The Dooradoyle school also claimed the Kidney and McCarthy Cups.
Thomond won the Club Mini Awards for the excellent work the club does with budding young players aged between 6 and 12.
The club’s youth officer John Airey plays a key role in the development of Thomond’s under-age players.

Munster A
THE Munster A squad is gearing up for Sunday’s British and Irish Cup final showdown with the Cornish Pirates at the Camborne Recreation Ground. Kick-off for the final is at 6pm and the game will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Munster remain the only unbeaten side in the inaugural British & Irish Cup, having won all six of their encounters in the competition so far.
The run has been based on a formidable defensive effort which has seen the Munstermen yield just three tries in 480 minutes playing time.
Sunday’s opponents, the Cornish Pirates, finished in 6th place in the RFU Championship table this season but could not progress through their play-off pool to reach the semi-final stage. The Pirates’ only victory in their last four matches in all competitions was the semi-final triumph in the British & Irish Cup at home to Doncaster Knights.

Colm Kinsella

Wounded Munster can reign in Spain

MUNSTER’S season reaches a critical point this Sunday when Tony McGahan’s men contest their ninth Heineken Cup semi-final. Unfortunately, the two-time winners must plan without inspirational team captain Paul O’Connell who has not recovered in time from a groin injury to be named in the squad.
However, there was some good news for coach Tony McGahan with the inclusion of the fit again Keith Earls, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling and Nick Williams in the squad for the trip to San Sebastian.


Paul O’Connell is the only notable absentee from the squad. The team will be named on Friday at noon while the squad departs for San Sebastian on Saturday morning.
The painful memories of last season’s heavy semi-final defeat to arch rivals Leinster will be still fresh in the minds of Munster’s players and the province’s colourful band of supporters when they travel to San Sebastian in Northern Spain for the clash with Biarritz Olympique (3.15pm Irish time). Munster coach, Tony McGahan, has admitted that Sunday’s semi-final is what the team’s season is all about.
The bookmakers have installed Munster as slight favourites to reach a fifth Heineken Cup final this weekend, but the tight nature of the betting indicates that rugby fans can expect a close contest.
Munster have displayed a terrific ability to bounce back from a below par showing in the Magners League on one weekend to produce a high-class performance the next in the Heineken Cup.
They will be hoping for a similar transformation in form this weekend following their lacklustre showing against the Ospreys last time out.
Munster maintained their grip of the fourth and final play-off spot in the Magners League table despite suffering a disappointing 11-15 home defeat to the Welsh side.
Munster’s Heineken Cup opponents Biarritz suffered a 19-26 home defeat to Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 at the weekend.
But Munster coach McGahan believes current form counts for little in a knock-out game such as Sundays: “At this stage I don’t really know if the current form holds any water. It’s a one-off game, it’s a semi-final.
“You saw that when we played Leinster here, close but a little off the mark. But we came out and played well the following week (against Northampton).
“All teams have the capability of doing that. We have shown that this year where we have had a disappointing result whether it has been the week before rounds one and two in the Heineken Cup or before the back-to-back fixtures at round three and four in the competition that we have certainly come back.
“We have some guys to come back into the squad we will certainly re-group.
“We know that next week is what it is all about for us this year. We are really targetting the Heineken Cup. We want to get a result in the semi-final to go one step further than we did last year. We want to put ourselves in with the chance of collecting some silverware.”
Biarritz have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the game with confirmation that their French international centre Damien Traille’s will not play again this season.
Traille hurt his forearm in their recent Top 14 clash with Clermont and will need four to six weeks to recover.
Biarritz’s international forward Imanol Harinordoquy, who broke his nose recently is expected to play.
Munster centre Jean de Villiers says that while Munster’s big-game experience had played a big role in their previous successes in Europe, the recent Magners League victory over Connacht showed that the younger members of the squad were capable of stepping up to the mark when called upon.
De Villiers said: “The secret to Munster’s success in the past has been the experiences they have had in these stages of the competition. You need the experienced guys around to get those results.
“The depth we have created within the squad- the guys who played last weekend against Connacht for instance- shows the next generation coming through can also do the job.”
Exciting Welsh winger Shane Williams is just one member of his team who believe Munster will prevail in Sunday’s presssure-cooker atmosphere at the Estadio Anoeta. However, he has warned against the danger of Munster conceding penalties with the presence of quality goal-kicker Dimitri Yachvili in the opposition line-up.
Williams, who has faced each of Sunday’s semi-finalists in recent weeks, believes Munster can cause the French side major problems: “Munster will have watched our game closely and they will realise Biarritz are beatable.
“Anything can happen in the Heineken Cup, but we showed that you can score tries against Biarritz,” Williams said.
“We all know what kind of team Munster are and they will have to take their chances.”

Munster Squad: Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julien Brugnaut, John Hayes, Damien Varley, Jerry Flannery, Mick O'Driscoll, Billy Holland, Donncha O'Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Niall Ronan, Tomas O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Tom Gleeson, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley, Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Scott Deasy.

Colm Kinsella

O'Connell and Earls fight to be fit

INSPIRATIONAL team captain Paul O'Connell and the in-form Keith Earls are in a race against time to be fit for Munster's mammoth Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Biarritz on Sunday week.


Both O'Connell and Earls, who are troubled with groin injuries, have been omitted from the Munster squad for Saturday evening's crunch Magners League clash with the Ospreys at Thomond Park (6.30pm).
With Munster's Heineken Cup clash with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2 looming large on the horizon, the pair are facing an uphill battle to be available for the semi-final fixture.
Nick Williams, who starred in Munster's win over Connacht at the weekend in Galway, is also ruled out of Saturday's Thomond Park fixture with a similar injury.
Munster manager Payne is confident that wingers Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling will be available for the Biarritz clash although neither player will be involved in the Magners League game this weekend as they are recovering from injury.
While Payne said he remained confident both O'Connell and Earls would be available for the Biarritz clash, the fact that neither will see any action against the Ospreys must be of concern.
"Keith Earls and Paul O'Connell have groin injuries. They are hangovers from the Six Nations internationals," Shaun Payne said.
"Groin strains are strange injuries. They can flare up and then settle down. It is an injury which needs rest. We are trying to manage Keith's workload. We would be confident both will be available, but it is not like a broken arm which heals within a certain amount of time. These are difficult injuries and very frustrating injuries for us to deal with. It is a waiting and seeing situation.
"There will be a cut-off point by which we will make a decision (over Biarritz match). We need them training. Obviously you cannot go into a game without any preparation work at all."
In-form Munster can take a giant step towards securing their place in the knock-out stages of the Magners League with victory over the Ospreys in their penultimate regular season game.
Munster and the Ospreys are deadlocked on 43 points, but the Welsh side occupy second place as a result of their superior points difference.
Munster, featuring three players making their competitive debuts in the backline, maintained their play-off hopes with a gritty victory over Connacht on Sunday.
Manager Payne admitted the victory in Galway was a pleasing one.
"It was a very satisfying win, I have to say. We all had big smiles on our faces after that, especially with such a changed squad form the week before. Some of the young lads were outstanding. The forwards in particular I must say were very good," Payne admitted.
"The Ospreys game was always going to be important for us, for the reasons stated that it is leading up to a semi-final game.
"At this time of the year there are all sorts of permutations going on. Every single game is very important."
Meanwhile Munster Rugby have announced that tickets for the province's Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2 have gone on public sale.
Match tickets, priced between €15 and €45, can be purchased online from munsterrugby.ie from the Ticket Office at Thomond Park in Limerick or from the Munster Rugby office on Tramore Road in Cork. The online sale will close at 2pm this Saturday as unsold tickets to the ERC on Monday next.
Munster squad v Ospreys: Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Damien Varley, Danny Barnes, Dave Foley, Dave Ryan, David Wallace, Denis Hurley, Donncha O'Callaghan, James Coughlan, Jean de Villiers, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Julien Brugnaut, Lifeimi Mafi, Marcus Horan, Mick O'Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Paul Warwick, Peter O'Mahony, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Scott Deasy, Simon Zebo, Tom Gleeson, Tomas O'Leary and Tony Buckley.

Junior inter-pros
THE Munster junior side begin their inter-provincial championship campaign away to Leinster at Seapoint this Saturday.
The Munster squad selection process started back in early December with more than 80 players attending screening sessions. Team manager, Tony Daly explained that the squad draws players from Divisions One, Two and Three of the Munster Junior League with 13 clubs represented.
Munster Junior Panel - Forwards: Martin Clifford (Cobh Pirates), Glen Deacon (Waterpark), Trevor Downes (Kilrush), Edward English (Kanturk), Daragh Fitzgerald (St Mary's), J.J. Frahill (Cobh Pirates), John Gilmartin (Tralee), David Hogan (St Mary's), Thomas Kevany (Cobh Pirates), Joe McSwiney (Waterpark), Barry Moloney (Cashel), Declan Moloney (Newcastle West), Jack O'Sullivan (Kilfeacle & District), Philly Ryan (Cashel), captain; Barry Wright (Kinsale), Tadgh Wright (Kinsale). Backs: Liam Casey (Galbally), Barry Gibbons (St. Mary's), Michael Hickey (Cashel), David Joyce (Clonmel), Gerry Martin (Newcastle West), Daragh Meade (Kanturk), Peter Murphy (Kinsale), Daragh O'Brien (Cashel), Stephen O'Brien (Old Christians), Pat O'Connor (Cashel), Diarmuid O'Connor (Cashel), Brian Silke (Cashel), Michael Twohig (Kanturk).
Team Manager: Tony Daly. Selectors: Kevin O'Dwyer, Christy McNamara; Masseur: Steve Mulvihill.
Fixtures - Saturday, April 24 v Leinster, Seapoint RFC, Dublin. Saturday, May 1 v Ulster, Abbeyfeale RFC. Saturday, May 8 v Connacht, Ballincollig RFC.

Jerome O'Connell

Munster seek IRFU clearance to sign a prop

MUNSTER are hoping to get clearance from the IRFU this week to add an additional prop forward to their squad as a result of their on-going injury crisis in the front-row.
With uncertainty over when international prop Marcus Horan will return to competitive action, confirmation that Dave Ryan is set to be sidelined for three months due to injury and Darragh Hurley will miss a couple of weeks also due to injury Munster are now short of options in the front-row.
John Hayes is suspended until the middle of the month while Tony Buckley is likely to be sidelined for up to two weeks with a calf muscle injury.
However, Horan, Hayes and Buckley have all been named in the Irish squad for the up-coming autumn internationals.
Munster coach Tony McGahan said: “Tony Buckley has a calf muscle injury, but should be back in two weeks.
“Dave Ryan is out for three months, while Darragh Hurley is out for a couple of weeks
“Marcus Horan was up in Dublin having tests on Friday.
“We are awaiting results and hope he gets some positive news on that front.
“We would like to sign a prop. We are very short in that area.
“We are in dialogue with the IRFU about it. We will know more this week.
“Any new prop would be available to play Heineken Cup if he hadn’t played Heineken Cup with another club already this season.”
Munster moved up to fifth place in the Magners League table as a result of their 24-10 bonus-point win over Ulster at Thomond Park on Saturday night. The result was the perfect way for Munster to complete the opening phase of the season. Munster’s next competitive outing will be an away Magners League tie against the Ospreys on December 5.
Munster skipper Paul O’Connell said he felt confident the team would perform against Ulster following their excellent attitude to training in the lead up to the match.
“It was a much better performance, much better intensity and much better enthusiasm in how we played,” Paul O’Connell enthused.
“When we bring that to our game, sometimes it doesn’t matter if we make mistakes, we can still play well and pull out performances.
“I think the intensity was there in bucket loads.
“If we couldn’t pick it up after the Edinburgh game, we never would.
“We worked very hard all week, players, coaching staff, everyone.
“It was one of those weeks where coming up to the game on Thursday and Friday I didn’t really worry about the performance. I knew it was going to happen.
“I played in teams where we have struggled before and been slated plenty of times.
“Last Saturday after the Edinburgh game was the worst I had felt about rugby for a long time.
“The way we worked during the week, when you hit Thursday or Friday, you can be confident about how the team is going to perform based on what we did in training during the week.”
O’Connell said a lot of the criticism of the team in recent weeks had been uninformed.
“I know some guys do read a lot of stuff which is written in the papers,” O’Connell said.
“I don’t really read it. A lot of it is uninformed comment.
“Some of the ex-players who are writing, they were barely informed when they were playing with us, not to mention when they are outside now. A lot of it is uninformed. We are our own harshest critics. We know where we are as a team.
“We know where we can be. We know how good we can be, we know how bad we can be.”

COLM KINSELLA

Munster’s bonus point win comes at a cost

MUNSTER’S bonus point win over Benetton Treviso in the Heineken Cup came at a cost as winger Doug Howlett is set to miss this Friday night’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh while serious doubts surround the participation of props Tony Buckley and Marcus Horan in the Murrayfield clash.


Kiwi Doug Howlett, who endeared himself further to Munster supporters when playing through the pain barrier in scrambling back to prevent a certain Treviso try in the opening half of Saturday’s game while clearly struggling with a hamstring injury, is set to miss out on the trip to Murrayfield. Tony Buckley will have a scan today to determine the extent of the damage to a calf muscle injury while fellow prop Marcus Horan is set to have further tests today after complaining of feeling dizzy during the course of Saturday’s 41-10 victory over Benetton Treviso.
The uncertainty over Buckley and Horan’s availability for the key clash with Edinburgh is a major blow with veteran prop John Hayes already sidelined through suspension.
Munster struggled in the scrums early on against an all-international Treviso front row, but the home side’s line-out did provide a source of good quality ball.
Munster assumed top spot in pool one of the Heineken Cup with a seven-try, bonus point, win over the Italians.
Munster skipper Paul O’Connell, who celebrated his 50th appearance in the Heineken Cup on Saturday, said the complexion of the group would become clearer following the back-to-back fixtures with French champions Perpignan in December. In the meantime, Munster would face key Magners League games.
O’Connell, who celebrates his 30th birthday tomorrow said: “The group is very evenly placed now with all teams having won one and lost one game. The back-to-back matches against Perpignan in December will be a massive for us.
“We have two games now in the Magners League, against Edinburgh and Ulster, two sides ahead of us in the table.
“It is very important for us to start playing with a bit more consistency now. Last week against Northampton we showed signs of it and this week there were further signs of it again. We need to keep improving and keep a high work rate in our performance. We need to keep it direct and simple. When we do the simple things well we actually look like we are playing fancy rugby.”
Munster full-back Paul Warwick, who scored his side’s opening try and claimed the Man of the Match accolade, said the provincial side remained a ‘work in progress.’
“We are certainly improving,” Paul Warwick said.
“It is a slow process obviously. In terms of that game we knew that if we were doing the right things at the 60-minute mark we could wear them down.
“People were talking about a shock result at half time and things like that. We did not have any panic. We knew they would pose a good threat to us across the field and they really stuck it to us.
“They took the opportunities and capitalised on a lot of our mistakes.
“When they got 10 points up, there was no panic.
“We felt that if we concentrated on our own game and were a bit more direct that we had been we could wear them down.
“The performance was a step in the right direction.
“There are facets of the game which were good and areas which need a lot of improvement. We are confident we are heading in the right direction, but are still a work in progress.”

COLM KINSELLA

Munster hope to bounce back

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan is confident the province’s ‘quality senior players’ will help the side bounce back in style from their embarrassing defeat to Leinster in this Saturday’s ‘backs-to-the-wall’ Heineken Cup showdown with the Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens (6pm).
McGahan revealed that some frank talking had been done in the Munster dressing room following Saturday’s 30-point drubbing at the hands of old rivals Leinster.
The Munster coach expects a positive response from his charges this weekend as the Magners League champions renew rivalries with the side which defeated them in the 2000 Heineken Cup final.
Skipper Paul O’Connell said the poor display against Leinster would act as a major motivating factor in Saturday’s clash with the Saints.
“Everything needs to improve from last weekend.
“I think if it does, we have a good chance at the weekend,” O’Connell said at this week’s launch of the 15th Heineken Cup.
“I think it will be a big motivation for us having had such a disappointing performance last Saturday. We did none of our basics well and that’s the most important thing you do.
“Going away to Northampton and going away to Perpignan are going to be incredibly tough games, so we’re going to be concentrating on getting out of our group first and foremost.”
With captain O’Connell, Jerry Flannery and David Wallace successfully coming through their first appearances of the season on Saturday, it seems certain that coach McGahan will make several changes to his starting line-up for the tie with Northampton.
Back-row forwards Denis Leamy and Alan Quinlan are also available to play having recovered from minor injuries.
Munster prop John Hayes appeared before an IRFU disciplinary panel this Tuesday evening in Belfast following his red-carding in Saturday’s clash with Leinster.
John Hayes, who boasted a previous exemplary record, received a red card for an alleged stamp on Leinster player Cian Healy in the second half of the game.

Colm Kinsella

Munster aim to hit Dragons for six

MUNSTER will aim to hit the Newport-Gwent Dragons for six when the sides clash in a key Magners League tie at Musgrave Park this Sunday (kic-off 5.05pm).
The season cranks up a gear this weekend as Munster welcome back Lions stars Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan for the tie and the holders look forward to a mammoth Magners League tie with arch rivals Leinster at the RDS on Saturday week and the heineken Cup pool meeting with Northampton seven days later.
Munster will be aiming to complete a sixth straight success over the Dragons in Cork this weekend, but there are real signs that the Welsh side are a much improved outfit this season.
Springboks centre Jean de Villiers is set to make his Munster debut against the Dragons this Sunday.


De Villiers, who is settling in to his new home near Annacotty, trained with his Munster team-mates for the first time this Tuesday.
Munster’s starting line-up to face the improving Welsh side will be named at lunch time this Friday.
Munster team manager Shaun Payne expects South African De Villiers to play for about 40 minutes on Sunday: “Jean won’t play more than half a match. We will be looking to ease him into things at this stage of the game. The plan is for him to play at 12 at this stage. There obviously will be times on the pitch when the centres can swap over.”
Payne added: “The decision to base Jean de Villiers in Limerick had to do with the spreading of our player resources. Having an experienced international back based in Limerick was important. Obviously, we have Rog (Ronan O’Gara) in Cork as well. He is a leader in terms of the backline. That is why we felt it was important to have Jean here.”
While five Lions are included in the squad to face the in-form Dragons, flanker David Wallace is omitted, but it is hoped he will return for the meeting with Leinster. Niall Ronan, who picked up a rib injury against the Scarlets at the weekend, is ruled out as is Peter Stringer, who is recovering from a calf muscle strain. Paul Warwick, who is recovering from a foot injury, is also unavailable while Doug Howlett is being rested.
The good news for Munster coach Tony McGahan is that Kiwi back-row Nick Williams is fully fit once again and featured for Dolphin in a friendly against Young Munster last weekend.
Team manager Payne said the returning Lions had a very good pre-season, but it they were unlikely to play for any more than 40 or 50 minutes in Sunday’s game: “We are not going to be pushing our luck with any of the Lions who are coming back. Saying that, they have all had a good pre-season. They have had almost a full eight weeks. There won’t be too many worries there. Injury-wise, the boys are all fine.
“I am sure some guys will play 40 minutes, some 50. That will depend on the game too. It is an important game for us. We need to be winning all our home games.”
Munster claimed their second win of the League last weekend when a splendid solo try from Denis Hurley and Jeremy Manning’s successful conversion stunned the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets.
Payne said: “I thought last week’s game was an excellent win, an excellent result. I think results like that give great belief to the group of players who played the game. We did not really perform as we should have right throughout the game, but we kept the belief, kept going and trying and were able to steal a win at the end. It was an excellent result in terms of the confidence we have.”
Meanwhile Ian Dowling’s recovery from injury continues when he lines out for the Munster A side in their meeting with Ulster A at Shawsbridge at 3.30pm this Thursday.
Thomond’s Declan Cusack has been named at out-half in the side which will be captained by Billy Holland.
Meanwhile former Munster coach Declan Kidney, who led Ireland to their first Grand Slam success in more than 60 years, received an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Limerick this Tuesday.

Munster squad (v Dragons): Marcus Horan, Julian Brugnaut, Tony Buckley, John Hayes, Denis Fogarty, Damien Varley, Mick O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Donncha Ryan, Alan Quinlan, Tommy O’Donnell, Denis Leamy, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Tomas O’Leary, Toby Morland, Ronan O’Gara, Jeremy Manning, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Barry Murphy, Denis Hurley, Keith Earls, Felix Jones.

Munster A v Ulster A: Danny Riordan; Ian Dowling, Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy, Danny Barnes; Declan Cusack, Duncan Williams; Dave Ryan.Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Ian Nagle, Dave Foley; Billy Holland capt, Eoghan Grace, Peter O’Mahony. Replacements: Sean Henry, Darragh Hurley, Kieran Essex, Barry O’Mahony, Paul Rowley, Andrew Burke, Ronan O’Mahony.

Colm Kinsella

O’Connell welcomes new Magners League format

PAUL O’Connell has confirmed his desire to remain as Munster captain for another season.
Key players and officials from within the Munster rugby set-up will meet today to select the captain for the coming season which kicks off in 10 days time with an away fixture against the Glasgow Warriors.


Speaking to Leader Sport yesterday in Thomond Park at the official launch of the 2009-10 Magners League O’Connell said that it was his wish to remain in possession of the captain’s armband for the province.
“I wound’t mind doing it again for another year,” said O’Connell who will also be in line to lead Ireland when Declan Kidney announces his Irish captain in November.
Ahead of Munster’s defence of their Magners League title Paul O’Connell have given his backing to the new structures for the ninth season of the competition.
“We all want to play in big games in the best of weather so two semi-finals and a final in May can only make the competition more spectacular and enjoyable,” said O’Connell.
The eighteen-round regular season runs through until the weekend of May 7, 2010, but play-offs have now been introduced to decide the Magners League champions - semi-finals to be held over the weekend of May 14. The season concludes with the Magners League final on the weekend of May 28.
“I think it is great - I am not sure where we finished in the last few years, but this structure would probably have given us a greater chance in this competition. We provide a lot of players to the national team so there are times when we are under strength and that’s very tough.”
O’Connell emphasised his point: “When you look at the system in England, where Wasps provide so many players to the England team and still get a shot at the top four and generally creep into in third or fourth and end up with a shot to win the championship - I don’t think Wasps finish top too often, but yet win the championship”.
After next week’s trip to Scotland, Tony McGahan’s men will play their first Magners League home fixture on the following weekend against the Cardiff Blues.
The exact fixtures are to be confirmed in the coming days, but Munster will travel to Dublin to take on Heineken Cup champions Leinster at the RDS on the weekend of October 2 while Leinster will visit Munster on the first weekend in April 2010.
After games in Musgrave Park against Sale and London Irish Munster continue their pre-season this Friday with a clash against Leicester Tigers in Welford Road.
O’Connell has praised the impact of the squad’s newcomers.
“Guys coming through are bigger, stronger, fitter and their skill levels are much higher than they used to be and they are coming in as guys that don’t need to learn as much as they did in the past,” he said.
“There are plenty of guys coming through - Ian Nagle is playing great stuff for the last few weeks in the second row, Felix Jones has been a great signing from Leinster and he had a fabulous Churchill Cup and he is training well and Denis Fogarty had a great finish to last season.”
Ahead of the new season Paul O’Connell is happy that Munster continue to progress.
“In terms of how we played, we never played better than we did last year.
“We played probably the best rugby that I have been involved with since I started with Munster, but obviously we had a disappointing result against Leinster at the end of the year and we will look at that and figure out why that happened.”
This Saturday morning at 10am Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls and Alan Quinlan will be at a special autograph signing session at the Elverys Sports store in the Crescent Shopping Centre.
Adidas and Elverys Sports are giving fans the opportunity to meet their heroes and will have autograph cards for each of the three players in the new adidas Munster jersey for the Munster stars to sign for fans.

JEROME O’CONNELL

Ireland rugby captain won’t be named until November

MUNSTER captain Paul O’Connell will have to wait until November to learn whether his successful spell as Lions skipper this summer will result in the Limerick man assuming the role of Irish captain this season.
Irish coach Declan Kidney said he planned to adopt the same policy in relation to naming his team captain as last season.
Then Kidney delayed making the announcement that Brian O’Driscoll would continue in the role until just before the November internationals.


Grand Slam champions Ireland face Australia, Fiji and South Africa on successive weekends in Dublin this autumn.
Brian O’Driscoll led Ireland to their first Grand Slam success in 61 years last March while Paul O’Connell received lavish praise for his captaincy of Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad this summer.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday during an Irish squad training camp at UL Kidney explained: “I have talked to Brian (O’Driscoll) about it and we will do the same as last year. I think it is well documented that he had some laser surgery on his eyes over the past couple of weeks, so his own pre-season needs a bit of time and space for him to have a good one.
“Let’s see who rolls up in November and we can see where we go from there then.
“I think one of the strengths is that we have a Grand Slam-winning captain, we have a Lions captain and two other guys who captained the Lions at different stages of the tour, the Heineken Cup captain, a co-captain in the Magners League and one from the Churchill. I understand there will be a bit of speculation, but my job is to try and look after each guy.”
Kidney explained that Ireland and Munster hooker Jerry Flannery will be out of action for ‘a couple of weeks’ after tweaking his calf muscle last week.
Munster scrum-half Tomas O’Leary will not resume contact work in training until he visits his surgeon at the end of this month to find out how his recovery from a fractured ankle injury is progressing.
Coach Kidney said O’Leary’s recovery was ‘progressing nicely’ .
Irish coach Kidney also warned supporters about having sky-high expectations of the side as a result of their Grand Slam-winning exploits in March.
“I was lucky enough to be involved with teams which won something one year and you become the target everyone else judges themselves off the next season,” Kidney said.
“That is just pretty much the same. I feel there was lots of talk that when we managed to get the win over Argentina that we were not too good.
“I didn’t think that was true. I don’t think we are the greatest team in the world right now even though that might be thought in some places.
“If we did nothing else, but learn off the economic situation for the past 10 years, let’s not get greedy.
“If we get greedy and expect it, then no one is going to have any fun out of any of this.
“We have a match against Australia in two months time. That is all we are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile Munster back-row Nick Williams, who was forced out of last weekend’s game against Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park with a knee injury, will miss Friday’s game against London Irish at Musgrave Park (7pm).
The injury however is not as bad as it first appeared with Kiwi Williams expected to recover after a period of rest. He is set to have further medical assessment later in the week.
This will be the second year in succession that Munster and London Irish play each other in a pre-season game. It’s also the second successive year they will compete for the Jack Wakefield Memorial Trophy.

Colm Kinsella

Munster hope to seal the Jean De Villiers deal

MUNSTER rugby chiefs are expecting to learn whether South African centre Jean De Villiers will join the province within the next fortnight.
The double Heineken Cup champions are hoping to acquire the services of the highly-rated Stormers and Springbok centre for the coming season. De Villiers, who didn’t feature in the South African side in Saturday’s third Test against the Lions, is seen as a natural replacement for the departed Rua Tipoki.
Reports emanating from South Africa indicate that the 28-year-old de Villiers plans to discuss his future with both the Western Province and South African management teams later this week before indicating his next move.
Jean De Villiers agent Stan Matthews indicated that while the international centre had been approached by Munster over a move to the Magners League holders he had yet to make a decision.
Matthews also revealed that De Villiers had received an offer from a French club.
Meanwhile Lions skipper Paul O’Connell said he was proud of the way his side responded to the disappointment of losing the second Test with the last kick of the game in Pretoria to win the third and final Test on Saturday.
The Lions’ 28-9, three tries to nil victory, ended a run of eight Tests without a victory and stopped the current tourists becoming the first side to suffer a series whitewash in South Africa.
It was the Irish lock’s first win in a Test at the sixth attempt with the Lions and he rightly came in for some special praise from legendary coach McGeechan.
Paul O’Connell said: “We wallowed a bit for two or three days after the game in Pretoria. We started talking a lot about the shirt. We talked about guys getting their first Lions cap and guys possibly getting their last.
“The guys are very conscious of the Lions ethos and wanted to do it proud.
“It was a very tough week mentally for everyone.
“By the end of the week we rallied. We just really dug deep. Some guys produced some serious form and produced some great scores.
“But I started thinking straight away after the final whistle that after we get over enjoying this we might be filled with regret.
“Sport can be cruel.
“I hope people don’t misconstrue our lap of honour.
“We’re under no illusions that we lost the Test series.
“But a lot of people paid a lot of money to come out here, we wanted to thank them.
“I must say congratulations to the Springboks. They won the series we both wanted.
“But what these players have achieved in just six weeks should not be underestimated. They have played the world champions in their own back yard and given as good as they have got for three Tests.
“This victory will last for four years.”
Lions’ head coach Ian McGeechan paid a warm tribute to captain O’Connell for his contribution during the course of the tour.
“Paul did a fantastic job. He’s been a great captain and has led the side magnificently,” said McGeechan.
“He’s been very good with the players and tied in with the senior players in setting the right standards. He has been an outstanding captain.”

Colm Kinsella

O’Connell backs pride of Lions for final South African test

CAPTAIN Paul O’Connell is backing his pride of Lions to produce another passionate display in their final Test clash with South Africa at Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg on Saturday.


This weekend’s third Test provides an opportunity for O’Connell’s men to salvage something from the Castle Lager Series and head home with their heads held high. World champions South Africa secured the Test series win with a dramatic 28-25 victory over the tourists on Saturday.
“I’m proud of how the lads performed over the past two weeks and I think we were very unlucky. That just gives us some positivity to take into the third Test,” said O’Connell, who has now played five Tests for the Lions without tasting victory.
“We can’t escape from the fact we are going into the game 2-0 down in the series, and that’s disappointing because we came here to win. I believe we can replicate the passion and intensity of Loftus Versfeld once again and we are certainly enthusiastic to do that. There isn’t everything riding on the fixture as there was last weekend, but it’s another chance to wear the Lions Test jersey. We all want to win in the Lions jersey and there is a massive respect within the squad for what the Lions means.
“For me and a lot of the guys, passion and emotion still plays a massive part in the game and we’ll be looking to bring everything we can to the last Test. We are eager to prove ourselves because we don’t believe that being 2-0 down is a true reflection of where we are as a team.”
Lock O’Connell believes his Munster team-mate Ronan O’Gara will bounce back strongly from the disappointment of conceding the crucial last gasp penalty which handed South Africa the chance to win last weekend’s second Test in Pretoria.
“Ronan (O’Gara) is disappointed and very low, but he’s a tough guy mentally - that’s his biggest strength.
“What happened in the second Test won’t be lost on him, but the tough guys bounce back and Ronan is one of them. When you keep putting yourself out there for selection in the big games these things happen.
“Our careers aren’t always up, up, up. We should have been away and the game should have been over by that stage and we all have bad days.
“Ronan has had many brilliant days, where he has won games single-handedly, and I’m lucky enough to have won a few medals because of his brilliance. I don’t think I would have any of them if it wasn’t for him. He’s extremely disappointed and, no doubt, he will beat himself up over it, but he will bounce back.”
Meanwhile Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has launched a plea for the British & Irish Lions to be given the time to prepare properly for future tours so they remain competitive against the three Southern Hemisphere rugby giants.
Ian McGeechan believes the current trip to South Africa has resulted in ‘some of the best rugby ever’, despite his side’s series defeat.
McGeechan believes officials from the home unions and domestic competitions must adjust the season for future Lions tours.
McGeechan would like to see the Lions given the same priority as a World Cup.
“If they give the Lions a fair crack, the Test series will always be very meaningful,” McGeechan said.
“I just wish more of these people who don’t want to make time for the Lions would actually come out and experience a tour. I don’t think they understand the impact.”
The Lions’ hopes of a first Test victory in eight outings - an unwanted record dating back to Brisbane 2001 - are affected by injuries.
Gethin Jenkins (fractured cheekbone), Adam Jones (dislocated shoulder) and Brian O’Driscoll (concussion) are all out of the game.

South Africa v British & Irish Lions
Third Test: Saturday, July 4,
Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 2pm (Irish time)
TV: Live Sky Sports 1 from 1.30pm
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Colm Kinsella

Hayes could start against the Springboks on Saturday

IRELAND’S record-breaking prop John Hayes is in contention to start for the British & Irish Lions in Saturday’s third Test showdown against the Springboks at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.
With Welsh tighthead Adam Jones ruled out of the game through injury, either Hayes or England’s Phil Vickery appear most likely to start in the front-row for the tourists.
Versatile Munster star Keith Earls will also come into contention for a place on the bench at least should Brian O’Driscoll, who suffered concussion, or wrist injury victim Jamie Roberts, fail to recover in time.
South African back-row Schalk Burger has been banned for eight weeks by the International Rugby Board for eye-gouging British & Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald at the start of Saturday’s second Test at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Schalk Burger was sin-binned in the first minute of the game, which his side won to seal the series, and was cited afterwards.
Springbok Bakkies Botha will miss the weekend’s last Test after being banned for two weeks for dangerous charging.
Lions prop Adam Jones was left with a dislocated shoulder after the incident.
Botha and Burger attended the hearing in Pretoria yesterday, a day after their side took an unassailable two-nil lead in the series following a thrilling 28-25 victory.
As they digested the disappointment of a shattering loss, the British & Irish Lions squad headed off on safari to Entabeni Game Reserve, north of Johannesburg, for a break before resuming rugby activity tomorrow.
Replacement out-half Morne Steyn came off the bench to kick South Africa to victory after Ronan O’Gara was guilty of giving away the crucial penalty late on.
O’Gara was judged to have clipped Fourie du Preez in the air as he jumped to collect a kick and Steyn landed a stunning penalty goal from all of 53 metres.
“I think the players genuinely deserve to be in the position to play for a series next week and we are not,” British & Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan said.
“That is very disappointing. In the end it is only the rub of the green that hasn’t given us one or two results.
“But I am hugely proud of what we have achieved and we will have the same approach going into the third Test.”
Ian McGeechan pleaded for the British & Irish Lions to be given the time to prepare properly for future tours so they can remain competitive.
The Lions head coach thinks the current trip to South Africa has resulted in “some of the best rugby ever”, despite his side’s series defeat.
But he believes officials from the home unions and domestic competitions must adjust the season for future Lions tours.
Just six weeks after they signed off on last season, the first of the Munster squad members assembled today to begin their preparations for the 2009-10 campaign.
Players not involved with the Lions and Churchill Cup squads assembled earlier today in their respective Cork and Limerick gyms to begin their pre-season training.
All those senior internationals will be joined by Academy, Development squaddies and players involved in the recent Churchill Cup success on Monday, July 13.
Munster Lions’ contingent return to pre-season training three weeks later.
Former Garryowen hooker Damien Varley returns to Munster having spent a season with London Wasps.
Varley and his new teammates’ first away trip together will be in the first week of August when they head to Portugal for a week-long pre-season training camp.
On their return the Munster squad members begin their series of pre-season friendlies, facing the Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park on August 14, London Irish at the same venue seven days later, before travelling to Welford Road to tackle the Leicester Tigers on August 28. The Magners League begins on the first weekend of September.

Colm Kinsella

Lions must beat South Africa in Pretoria

MUNSTER flanker David Wallace followed in the illustrious footsteps of elder brother Paul by playing in a Lions Test against South Africa in Durban last weekend. But the third member of the Wallace family to play for the Lions will be hoping for a different result this Saturday as the tourists face a must-win second Test against the Springboks in the hostile environment of Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (2pm Irish time).
Ian McGeechan’s British & Irish Lions must beat the World Champions if they are to keep the three-match series alive going into the final Test on Saturday week at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.


After their whirlwind start, which saw skipper John Smit score within five minutes, the Boks looked set to swamp David Wallace and company when they stretched out to a 19 point lead at the start of the second half.
But then came the Lions’ fight back and, by the end, Paul O’Connell’s men had outscored their hosts by three tries to two – and bombed several other chances.
“It was an unbelievable experience to be involved in a Test team. I would love to get another chance,” David Wallace said this week.
“We definitely believe we can still do it. We know its going to be very hard to win the next two games, especially at altitude, but there were plenty of positives to take out of the first Test and we have to back our fitness.
“We gave them such a lead at the start and we were always chasing it. That made life difficult for us.
“Their kicking game was very good, but we felt we could do damage when we moved the ball. We’ve got to start Pretoria as we ended in Durban
“The sense in the crowd was that we could go on and win the game. There was a huge belief building, but then it just didn’t materialise.
“But to have come back from where we were and end up within striking distance gives us huge confidence for the next two Tests.”
Lions skipper Paul O’Connell says that, despite the overwhelming sense of disappointment after Saturday’s defeat to the Springboks, there are plenty of encouraging signs to take forward into the remaining two Test matches.
The Munster second row lost his fourth successive international with Britain and Ireland’s elite but he says there are enough positives in the 26-21 reverse to suggest a better outcome against the same opposition this weekend in Pretoria.
“We are playing a good brand of rugby,” lock O’Connell insisted.
“I think we ran out of time. We were playing quite well. When we did what we wanted to do, we were getting over the gain line and we were opening them up a bit. The more we did that, the stronger we grew.
”If a few of our try-scoring chances had stuck, it would have been game over and we would have won it.”
Schalk Burger will win his 50th international cap when he returns to the Springbok side in the only change head coach Peter de Villiers has made for the second Test in Pretoria.
Burger missed last weekend’s 26-21 win in Durban due to a calf injury but the former IRB World Player of the Year is now fit enough to start at Loftus Versfeld. The Stormers flanker replaces tryscorer Heinrich Brussow, who drops to the bench.
The Lions starting line-up for the do-or-die Test will be revealed this Thursday.

South Africa: Francois Steyn; JP Pietersen, Adi Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit; Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield; Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies. Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Deon Carstens, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Heinrich Brussow, Jaque Fourie, Morne Steyn.

Colm Kinsella

O’Connell criticises refereeing decisions

ALTHOUGH heartened by the British & Irish Lions stirring fight-back against South Africa in Durban on Saturday captain Paul O’Connell has reacted angrily to the performance of New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence.
The tourists lost 21-26 to the Springboks, but not before Lawrence penalized Phil Vickery five times for standing up in the scrum or binding incorrectly which eventually forced the withdrawal of the Englishman.
The entire Lions pack, including Munster’s Paul O’Connell, felt aggrieved by those decisions.


“The scrums were disappointing because we had so many penalties, especially in good attacking situations,” O’Connell explained.
“That’s something we have to look at. The referee said Phil was constantly boring in, but I didn’t think so.
“Phil is a very experienced prop who has played rugby at the top for a long time.
“Why he would make the same mistake at four or five scrums is beyond me.”
Those penalties helped South Africa into a 26-7 lead early in the second half before Adam Jones replaced Vickery and the Lions scored 14 unanswered points to set up a grand finale.
“When we played rugby, we were very good,” Paul O’Connell insisted.
“We opened them up and we have just got to keep doing that. I think we ran out of time. But when the ref gives that many penalties against you, you don’t really stand a chance. It was just penalty, after penalty, after penalty.
“It’s going to be difficult now, but there is still a lot of belief there. When we played how we wanted to play, we did very well and created lots of scoring opportunities. I think the guys will be looking forward to next week.”
The second Test takes place at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, the nation’s capital, next Saturday.
And, with the Lions heartened by their second half display in Durban - it was truly extraordinary to see the South Africans relieved to hoof the ball into the stands after the world champions held on for a five-point win - Ian McGeechan’s side will hope for a more positive result in Pretoria.
The Lions also have to contend with a mid-week game against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday in Cape Town (2pm, Sky Sports) before traveling to Pretoria on Friday - Cappamore’s John Hayes, who was called up to replace Scotland’s Euan Murray on Thursday, has now joined the touring party.
Although Ian McGeechan’s men won all six of their warm-up games Saturday’s defeat means the Lions have now lost six Tests in-a-row since beating Australia in the first match of the 2001 series in Brisbane.
The final two tests, both of which will be played at altitude, take place in Pretoria and Johannesburg - never before have the Lions won Tests at both venues on the same tour.
Meanwhile Munster forward John O’Sullivan has signed a two-year deal with French second-tier club Agen. The 28-year-old, who can play in all three back-row positions, spent four seasons with the two-time European champions, making 33 Magners League and three Heineken Cup appearances.
The Tralee man joined Munster in 2005 after spell with Connacht.
O’Sullivan was released from his Munster contract at the end of the 2008-09 season, but now resumes his professional rugby-playing career in France.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Paul O’Connell closes in on his crowning glory

WITH Saturday’s first test against the world champions mere days away Limerick rugby legend Paul O’Connell is closing in on his crowning glory - his chance to lead the British & Irish Lions out against South Africa in Durban on Saturday (2pm, Sky Sports).
All the guessing games will come to an end tomorrow (Thursday) at lunch time when Ian McGeechan will name his match day 22 to face the Springboks.
The British & Irish Lions, with Limerick’s Keith Earls featuring at full-back, completed the build-up to their first test with a hard-fought 20-8 win over the Southern Kings in the Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.


Although the Lions’ 12-point winning margin would suggest otherwise the clash with the Southern Kings proved a bruising encounter.
And, Ian McGeechan is counting the cost with Euan Murray (ankle) and James Hook (concussion) now listed as doubtful for Saturday’s battle with the South Africans.
The Lions struggled for long periods against the Southern Kings and were grateful for a penalty try which allowed the touring side a little breathing room late in the second half.
Munster’s Donncha O’Callaghan captained the side and although David Wallace was named on the bench he played no part in Tuesday’s game in Port Elizabeth.
Ronan O’Gara, who was outstanding when introduced as a replacement in the 12th minute, drew the sides level at three points apiece before pushing the Lions into a three-point lead with another penalty just after the break. The Munster out-half then picked out winger Ugo Monye with a superb cross-field kick for the Lions’ first try which the Cork man also converted. Referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty try against the Southern Kings in the 68th minute for infringements at the scrum and O’Gara converted to give the tourists a seventeen-point lead (20-3) entering the final minutes. The Kings did score a late try, but such resistance proved futile.
The Irish fly-half also pulled off a superb try-saving tackle on the Southern Kings’ Wylie Human after the Lions defence had been initially shredded at a crucial juncture in the game. Referee Nigel Owens also sin-binned two Southern Kings players - fly-half Van der Westhuyzen and Ross Skeate.
Having played twice previously in the centre for the Lions Keith Earls was, this time, handed the full-back role. The Limerick man sliced through the Southern Kings’ defence on occasion, but it is unknown at this point whether Earls’ display, allied to his try-scoring performance in Bloemfontein on Saturday, was enough to force his way into the test side.
It’s interesting to note that 12 probable test starters, including captain Paul O’Connell, had already flown north up the coast and watched the game against the Southern Kings from a safe distance. Ian McGeechan is taking no chances with his side to face the South Africans in the first test.
Although McGeechan has long insisted that the match day 22 for Saturday would not be selected until after the game against the Southern Kings the evidence would suggest that the wily Scot has already settled on the majority of his starting XV.
The second (June 27 in Pretoria) and third (July 4 in Johannesburg) tests against the South Africans will be played at altitude and if the tourists are to have a reasonable chance of series success they must beat the Springboks on Saturday.
And, since the South African players have not played any practice matches of note (the Springboks, without their Super 14-winning Blue Bulls core, had one outing against Namibia) now is the time for the Lions to pounce.
The British & Irish Lions starting team however will be crucial and the areas of most debate for the Lions management team appear to centre around numbers three, four, six, 10 and 11.
Wales’ Lee Byrne is expected to start at full-back while Tommy Bowe and Ugo Monye have been touted to join Byrne in the back three - Luke Fitzgerald is pushing hard for inclusion in this sector while Shane Williams’ loss of form appears to have ruled out the 2008 World Player of the Year.
Although Keith Earls will hope to be included in the match day 22 Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts are expected to form a partnership in midfield. At half-back Stephen Jones had appeared to represent a fait accompli at fly-half alongside scrum-half Mike Phillips, but Ronan O’Gara’s brilliant performance against the Southern Kings has certainly given the management an alternative to seriously consider. The concussion incurred by James Hook on Tuesday should rule the Welshman out and at the very least O’Gara should be named on the bench.
Up front props Gethin Jenkins and Phil Vickery look likely to partner hooker Lee Mears in the front-row while Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones is now favourite to partner Paul O’Connell in the second row. Scotland’s Nathan Hines, England’s Simon Shaw and Ireland’s Donncha O’Callaghan are all vying for the number four shirt while Tom Croft and Jamie Heaslip are favoured to start in the back-row. Martyn Williams’ performance on Saturday could threaten David Wallace’s place in the starting XV.
On Tuesday evening the Springboks sprung a surprise when South Africa named their starting XV for Saturday’s first test and included Heinrich Brussow in place of the injured Schalk Burger (calf) - the Cheetahs flanker, who was called into the squad less than 24 hours before being named on the team, will start at blindside flanker. Morne Steyn, the stand-out fly-half from the Super 14, is the only uncapped player in the match 22 but will have to wait for his debut with the disputed number 10 jersey going to Ruan Pienaar.
The other contested position, full-back, went to Frans Steyn, while the rest of the squad, which will be led by John Smit is packed with experience.
South Africa: F. Steyn (Sharks), J.P. Pietersen (Sharks), A. Jacobs (Sharks), J. de Villiers (Stormers), B. Habana (Bulls), R. Pienaar (Sharks), F. du Preez (Bulls); T. Mtawarira (Sharks), B. du Plessis (Sharks), J. Smit (Sharks), B. Botha (Bulls), V. Matfield (Bulls), H. Brussow (Cheetahs), J. Smith (Cheetahs), P. Spies (Bulls).

Brian McDonnell

Lions nervously await starting team

LATER today, when Ian McGeechan names the starting XV to face the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth tomorrow (2pm, Sky Sports), the auditions for the British & Irish Lions team to face South Africa will come to an end.
Ian McGeechan has persistently stated that the team for the first test will not be determined until after Tuesday’s match, but it is almost certain that the players selected to face the Southern Kings will consider that a dubious honour knowing that the team to face the 2007 world champions on Saturday next in Durban will already have their feet up.
Irrespective of the make-up of the team Paul O’Connell has demanded the British & Irish Lions’ bring their ‘A’ game for the first test against South Africa in King’s Park, Durban when the tourists collide with the world champions for the first time.
Speaking on Saturday O’Connell said: “If we all bring our A game to Durban next Saturday there is no doubt we can be successful. The odds are still stacked against us. It is a massive challenge to come over here and beat the world champions, who have a very settled side and a lot of leaders in their team.
“The odds are still against us. Individually, we are good enough talent-wise to be successful, but we have to play as a team to be successful and that process is on-going.”
O’Connell was speaking in the aftermath of the Lions’ clash with Western Province.
The Lions did collect their fifth win (26-23) of the tour, but were left to rely on a 77th-minute penalty from replacement full-back James Hook on a wet and windy afternoon.
Ian McGeechan’s men out-scored their hosts by three tries to one (Tommy Bowe, Ugo Monye & Martyn Williams), but were fortunate to survive after Joe Pietersen’s late try threatened to blotch their 100 per cent record.
The make-up of the British & Irish Lions team to face South Africa in Durban on Saturday is consuming the minds of rugby fans everywhere. Wales’ Lee Byrne is hot favourite to start at full-back, Tommy Bowe also looks sure of his starting spot while Shane Williams’ poor form could see Luke Fitzgerald or England’s Ugo Monye complete the back three.
Unfortunately Keith Earls looks likely to miss out in the centre with Brian O’Driscoll and Wales’ Jamie Roberts hotly tipped to constitute the starting midfield partnership.
Sadly it looks as if Ronan O’Gara will miss out on the first test entirely. With the Welsh partnership of Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips touted to start and James Hook likely to occupy a stop on the replacements bench no room is left for the Munster out-half in the match day 22 to face South Africa. Props Gethin Jenkins and Phil Vickery look likely to partner hooker Lee Mears in the front-row while Paul O’Connell’s partner at lock looks wide open with Scotland’s Nathan Hines, England’s Simon Shaw, Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones and Donncha O’Callaghan all vying for the number four shirt. While Tom Croft and Jamie Heaslip are favoured to start in the back-row Martyn Williams’ performance on Saturday could threaten David Wallace’s place in the starting XV.
Meanwhile there was some encouraging news for British & Irish Lions fans this weekend with the news that Springboks flanker Schalk Burger may miss Saturday’s first test - Burger is suffering with a calf injury.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Springboks will represent a far more formidable test

BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach, Ian McGeechan has warned that the Springboks will pose a far more formidable challenge than any of the four sides the tourists have defeated t odate on their tour of South Africa.
The Lions travel to Newlands, Cape Town this Saturday to face their fifth match of the tour against the Western Province (2pm).
Confidence is sure to be high in the wake of the Lions’ impressive second half display against the Sharks on Wednesday night. Several members of the Lions starting line-up this weekend will be hoping to boost their chances of being included in the squad to face the Springboks in the first Test on June 20.
Lions head coach Ian McGeechan said: “The Test match will be another game and level completely.
“What we have to try and do is build confidence and structure that we are happy with, keep our feet on the ground about what is going well and what needs to be looked at.
“But to finish that strongly against the Sharks, with a very powerful defensive set, shows that the players are happy, playing with or without the ball, which hopefully gives us a chance.”
Meanwhile, Munster out-half Ronan O’Gara is hoping to gain inclusion in the side to face South Africa in a week’s time in Durban.
O’Gara, who bagged 14 points in the win over the Sharks is involved in a battle with Stephen Jones for the number 10 jersey ahead of the opening Test with the Springboks at the ABSA Stadium, Durban on Saturday, June 20.
Thirty two-year-old O’Gara said: “The kicking game has gone well but there’s so much more to a kicking game than a goalkicking game.
“It will be interesting in that we haven’t done much in terms of an attacking kicking game or much in a strategic kicking game. But that’s an area I’m looking forward to exploring. If you can get the right kind of kick it’s very, very hard for you to defend.
“It’s all kicking on the run which is how rugby is played and running through the balls that’s something I’ve really enjoyed. I get very excited with kicking in training and kicking in games - the ability to keep learning and evolving, otherwise you stay the same.
“You put more emphasis on a power position than standing tall, so you’re kicking with your body instead of kicking with your leg. That’s something I practice in training and it’s working so I go with it.”
In stark contrast to 2005, when Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward split his party into a midweek side and the Test squad early on, McGeechan is adamant everyone will get a fair chance to play their way into the team to face the World champions on June 20.
McGeechan is, however, aware of the risks of not giving the first Test team a match together before they meet the Springboks.
“It’s got to be about us and what we want to try and be come first Test day,” the coach explained.
“There are some risks, but I think what we get out of it as a squad far outweighs that.
“The only other way of doing it is you separate the teams and you say to half the squad ‘You are not going to be involved in a Test match,’ and I am not prepared to do that.”
“I want all the players to give me a selection headache. The fewer easy choices I have to make, the better. If you’ve got only six games to your first Test match, the chances are you might only play twice or three times. What is important is the time they are getting together on the training field. If you were saying to me now ‘Pick a Test team,’ I would be doing it on the back of one game that a player has played, in some cases. I don’t think that is fair to the players. I know we can’t change the number of games going into the first Test. I just think it is more important that each player gets a genuine go - at least twice - to put his own game on the field.”

Colm Kinsella

O’Connell partners Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones against the Sharks

LIONS captain Paul O’Connell will play with his third different second-row partner of the British & Irish Lions tour when Ian McGeechan’s side face the Sharks in Durban tomorrow evening (6.10pm).
Twenty-nine-year-old lock O’Connell will pack down in the engine room alongside Welsh international Alun Wyn Jones while Munster out-half Ronan O’Gara and flanker David Wallace will be hoping to impress against the Sharks in order to boost their chances of gaining inclusion in the Test side for Saturday week’s clash with the Springboks.


Skipper O’Connell is one of four survivors from the Lions side which secured a nail-biting 26-24 victory over the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.
The other players to gain back-to-back starts are Irish star Luke Fitzgerald and the Welsh duo of Lee Byrne and Shane Williams.
Lions coach Ian McGeechan said: “I am delighted that as we head into the fourth match we only have one player who is unavailable for selection.
“The players and the medical staff have managed the injuries that have been sustained in a very professional manner. This is crucial as we enter matches against two of South Africa’s strongest provinces in the Sharks and Western Province in the space of four days. This is reflected by the fact that four starting players from the Cheetahs match will back up against the Sharks while five players are starting their third match of the tour. We also have new starting partnerships in the back three, the half-backs and in the front-row.”
The British & Irish Lions clash with the Sharks tomorrow evening will be televised live on Sky Sports 2.
Meanwhile two Limerick-born players have been included in the Ireland A side to face Canada in their opening match in the Churchill Cup in Colorado tomorrow night.
Sean Cronin, a replacement the full Irish side in their recent games with Canada and the USA, is named at hooker. Cronin’s Connacht team-mate Keith Matthews has been selected in the centre for the clash with Canada.
Shannon and Munster prop Tony Buckley will line out at tighthead prop while Donnacha Ryan has been selected to play in the second row for the game at Infinity Park, Glendale. The match begins at 11.30pm Irish time and will be televised live on Sky Sports 1.

British & Irish Lions v Sharks: Lee Byrne (Wales); Shane Williams (Wales), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland); Ronan O’Gara (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales); Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Lee Mears (England), Adam Jones (Wales); Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Capt) (Ireland); Tom Croft (England), David Wallace (Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland). Replacements: Matthew Rees (Wales), Phil Vickery (England), Simon Shaw (England), Joe Worsley (England), Mike Blair (Scotland), Riki Flutey (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales).

Ireland A v Canada: Denis Hurley (Munster), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers); Niall O’Connor (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Ulster) (capt); Bryan Young (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Connacht), Tony Buckley (Munster); Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Neil Best (Northampton Saints), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Chris Henry (Ulster) Replacements: Denis Fogarty (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Trevor Hogan (Leinster), John Muldoon (Connacht), Frank Murphy (Connacht), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), James Downey (Northampton Saints).

Colm Kinsella

‘We have got to want to play for each other’

A DECADE on from starring with the Irish Colleges’ team in South Africa, Paul O’Connell returned to the rugby hotbed this week to captain the Lions on their mammoth 10-match tour.


Giant lock O’Connell and his team mates have stepped up their preparation’s for Saturday’s opening tour match with the Royal XV at Rustenburg (2pm Irish time).
O’Connell is one of five Munster players in line to make the starting line-up for this weekend’s clash.
The other Munster representatives hoping to feature in the fixture when the match day ‘22’ is confirmed this Thursday are David Wallace, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan.
Recalling his first visit to South Africa as a rugby player a decade ago, Paul O’Connell said he was instantly taken with the fiery passion the South African players possessed during that tour.
“I played in South Africa in 1999 for the Irish Colleges side and I’ll never forget how big their players were, how fast over hard grounds and how skilful they were,” O’Connell said.
“They have a fiery passion about their rugby that’s stronger, more aggressive than Kiwis.
“There’s nothing to compare with this experience, nothing.
“The closest I can think of in another sport would be the Ryder Cup- but without the blood and bruises.
“You play every game away, you are always in a hostile environment and you are charged with creating a team out of players from varied cultures and playing styles.
Paul O’Connell said he was excited by the manner in which the players from the four Home Unions had gelled since coming together last week.
“I think there’s a big buzz,” the giant Munster lock O’Connell said.
“There are a lot fewer people than I was used to four years ago and that’s the best thing about it.
“Everyone is on the pitch at the same time, everyone is in the gym together and everyone fits into the team room as one.
“I think there’s a lot of good friendships being made, a lot of characters emerging already and that’s going to be a big thing for us.
“Clive (Woodward) tried something different in 2005 which looked good on paper but we struggled.
“It was a tough tour because so many things were not in our favour.
“We had a very big squad and a very big coaching staff and, straight away, we failed to come together as a team.
“First of all, we have got to be a team.
“We have got to want to play for each other, first and foremost.
“If you have bonds, you will always be willing to play for others in the team and that will make a big difference.
“We are massive underdogs but we have a smaller coaching staff and a guy who knows the Lions inside out in Ian McGeechan.”
O’Connell said it was now up to the players to perform as the Lions hadn’t done the tradition proud in New Zealand four years ago.
“I said recently that the talent is there in the group, the coaching is there in the group and now it’s up to us to perform as a team,” Paul O’Connell insisted.
“I think it’s important that when the players wear the jersey on this tour, they live up to the tradition and the history of the jersey.
“I think when you look back at some of the players that have won the British & Irish Lions jersey down the years, there were great players.
“Maybe in 2005 we didn’t live up to that.
“A lot of things went against us on the tour and at the same time I don’t think we did the tradition proud.
“I think for me personally, looking back at 2005 is a big motivation.
“I know for a few other guys that were on the tour, it’s the same thing.
“Living up to the tradition of the jersey is a big thing for us.
“A lot of us when we play for our clubs give everything playing for Munster or Ireland.
“I think the same thing applies when we play for the British & Irish Lions.”

Colm Kinsella

Former Garryowen hooker Damien Varley will sign for Munster

FORMER Garryowen hooker Damien Varley will return from London Wasps this summer to take up a contract with Munster.
The 25-year-old Damien Varley moved to Guinness Premiership giants Wasps last summer and made an instant impact when scoring a dramatic match-winning try against the Leicester Tigers in his opening league appearance. Varley, who made 10 appearances for Wasps during the season, was a key member of Garryowen’s All-Ireland League and AIB Cup-winning side of 2007.
Former AIB Club international Varley joins Munster in the wake of Frankie Sheahan’s departure from the club after a distinguished 13-year career.
Eleven members of Munster’s 2008-09 squad depart the province this summer while it has already been confirmed that Ireland under-20 full-back Felix Jones is on his way south from Leinster.
Back-row forward Billy Holland and centre Tom Gleeson will move from development to full contracts while academy players, flanker Tommy O’Donnell and prop Dave Ryan, brother of Toulon-bound Timmy Ryan will move onto development contracts.
Exciting winger Ciaran O’Boyle is back training having suffered injury in his try scoring appearance against the Dragons in March while Darragh Hurley is also on the mend following minor neck surgery last month.
The Munster squad will report back for training on June 29.
Meanwhile Lions captain Paul O’Connell has urged his players to restore the pride lost during the 2005 tour of New Zealand with the opening match of their South African tour now just four days away.
The Lions were today stepping up their preparations for their clash against a Royal XV selection in Rustenburg.
Ian McGeechan’s starting line-up is scheduled to be announced this Thursday.
“The players must now live up to the tradition of what the Lions is all about,” Paul O’Connell said.
“Maybe in 2005 we didn’t do the Lions jersey proud, but this tour gives us a chance to restore that pride.
“All the talent is there for us to be competitive, we have a great coaching team, but now it’s up to us, the players, to perform as a team.”
Coach Ian McGeechan said he would give everyone an opportunity in training in the coming days to force their way into Saturday’s team, as well as the Test XV.
“I’m going to give every player an equally chance to get into the Test side. I’ll pick the Test team in the Test week,” McGeechan said.

Colm Kinsella