New Munster coach Alan Gaffney continues to be dogged by injury with John O’Neill forced to cry off the Munster side just hours after the starting line-up was announced for the game against Llanelli
Australian Alan Gaffney takes his side to Llanelli’s famous ground for the most eagerly awaited match in Europe this weekend as the Celtic League kicks off with a mouth-watering clash between 2001-02 Heineken Cup finalists
Munster and semi-finalists Llanelli.
And the former Leinster assistant coach Gaffney is hoping the result is similar
to his last trip to Stradey.
“I went there last year with Leinster – great ground, great team,” he said. “And as we won 19-17 in the final minutes, I wouldn’t mind the same
result this week.”
However, Munster face an awesome task at a venue every bit as formidable as their own Thomond Parksince Gaffney. Added to that is Munster’s ever mounting injury list. Since he took charge of the squad two months ago he has had more than a fair share of injury problems. Flanker David Wallace, lock Paul O’Connell and wing Anthony Horgan were all ruled out with long term injuries, then Martin Cahill fell by the wayside and now John O’Neill joins the injured list.
And they go into a game against a Lllanelli side with two games under their belts and having had the benefit of a pre-season training camp in Slovenia.
Gaffney on the other hand saw 12 of his original selection for the first time in five weeks last Monday. “It doesn’t makes things easy.” he said with a wry grin. ” But we’ve just got to get on with it.”
MunsterD Crotty; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, M Lawlor; R O’Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll; J Williams, A Quinlan, A Foley.
Replacements- J Blaney, S Kerr, E Halvey, M Galwey, D Malone, J Holland, J Staunton.
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