Staunton Out of Munster Side

The injury jinx continues to haunt Munster coach Alan Gaffney with Jeremy Staunton forced to withdraw from the side yesterday afternoon. Staunton is suffering from a stomach muscle complaint which manifested itself earlier in the week. Staunton had been originally passed fit but after further compliant withdrew from the side prior to the captains run at Thomond Park yesterday. Dominic Crotty will take over at full back with John O’Neill drafted onto the bench. Thomomd Park will be a sell-out for the clash with Perpignan as Munster strive to keep alive their Heineken Cup challenge. The news about Staunton followed soon after it was learned that Rob Henderson will be out of action for up to four months and not the 4-6 weeks originally thought, with the bicep tendon teat he suffered against Gloucester.

Munster D Crotty; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, M Lawlor; R O’Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey, M O’Driscoll, J Williams (Capt), A Quinlan, A Foley.
Replacements: J Blaney, S Kerr, E Halvey, D Leamy, M Prendergast, J O’Neill, K Keane.

Leinster Lions. (v Swansea, 7.30) Girvan Dempsey; Denis Hickie, Brian O’ Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Gordon D’Arcy; Christian Warner, Brian O’Meara; Reg Corrigan (capt.), Shane Byrne, Paul Wallace; Leo Cullen, Malcolm O’Kelly; Aidan McCullen, Keith Gleeson, Victor Costello.
Replacements:
Emmet Byrne, Peter Smyth, Aidan Kearney, Des Dillon, Brian O’Riordan, David Quinlan, Adam Magro.

Swansea.
Shaun Payne; Richard Rees, Mark Taylor, Steve Winn, Matthew Robinson; Gavin Henson, Sam Cordingley;Darren Morris, Christian Balshen, Ben Evans; Andrew Farley, James Griffiths; Dean Thomas, Colin Charvis capt, Tu Tamarua
Replacements: Rhodri Jones, Arwel Thomas, Dean Colclough, Dan Dorsey, John Slade, Johnathan Thomas, Rory Jenkins.