Heineken Cup: Lima Ruled Out For Munster

The Munster injury mire continued today as new signing Brian Lima was confirmed as their fourth big name absentee from Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against Biarritz.

The 33-year-old Samoan back was withdrawn this morning from Alan Gaffney’s 26-man squad, having suffered a quadricep muscle strain at training in Limerick yesterday.

Lima – who most recently helped Samoa’s Sevens side to the Plate title at the World Cup Sevens – joins fly-half Ronan O’Gara (knee ligaments), Christian Cullen (shoulder ligaments) and Denis Leamy (torn hamstring) on the sidelines.

Initial medical advice suggested Lima – unattached since leaving Japanese club Secom last season – had suffered a mild strain, but a scan today showed more serious damage and the decision was taken to cull him from the squad.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney conceded: “It goes without saying that I am very disappointed with the news of Brian’s injury. He is a vastly experienced and skilful player who would have complemented our squad travelling for what was always going to be a very difficult game.

“In circumstances like this you have to feel for a player who travelled half way across the world to play with us. I know Brian was looking forward to the challenge. So it’s really tough on him.

“This sort of thing is part and parcel of the job we work at. We have just got to move on quickly and deal with this as we would any setback.”

The news follows hot on the heels of the revelation that a number of computers and hard disks – with comprehensive preparatory information on Basque opponents Biarritz – were stolen from the Munster team room at the Newport Hilton hotel while they lined out against the Dragons in the Celtic League on Friday.