Hayes on Munster Bench

John Hayes has been passed fit and will take his place on the Munster replacement bench for their Pool 4 game against Castres tomorrow. Hayes took a full part in Munster’s training session which was conducted on a pitch in Blagnac, close to the team hotel, shortly after their arrival in a cold but sunny Toulouse yesterday.

Meanwhile, Irish voices were much in evidence in that French city as the the number of Munster supporters were swelled by those from Leinster who have travelled to support their side in their quest to secure a home quarter final spot.

Leinster arrived in Toulouse on Wednesday having flown directly from Leeds following their 17-15 win over Newcastle. They will definitely be without their regular out-half Nathan Spooner who was injured in that game with Brian O’Meara likely to move to the number 10 spot and Ben Willis, scorer of a second half try against Newcastle, continuing at scrum-half.