Munster Include Ireland Duo
Munster today trimmed their extended squad down to their matchday 22 for Friday’s Magners League clash with the Cardiff Blues (Musgrave Park, kick-off 7.30pm). The 22 includes Ireland World Cup squad members Alan Quinlan and Frankie Sheahan.
Munster coach Declan Kidney watched his players go through their paces at Garryowen FC earlier today as they gear up for Friday’s crunch meeting with the league pace-setters Cardiff.
Both Quinlan and Sheahan arrived back on Irish soil on Monday following following Ireland’s failed attempt to get out of World Cup Pool D. Both are fit and ready for a return to provincial action if called upon in Cork.
Munster’s front line players who were involved in the Irish squad for the World Cup are to have a two-week rest period as the province uses a combination of academy talent, new signings and seasoned pros for their opening run of league games.
The likes of Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer and Paul O’Connell are expected to don Munster red for the first time this season on Friday, October 26 when Kidney’s men travel to Firhill to take on Glasgow.
MUNSTER Squad: Forwards – Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, Denis Fogarty, Frankie Sheahan, Federico Pucciariello, Mark Melbourne, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley (capt).
Backs – Shaun Payne, Ian Dowling, Kieran Lewis, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki, Anthony Horgan, Paul Warwick, Jeremy Manning, Tomas O’Leary, Gerry Hurley.