Munster Include Buckley And O’Gara
The Munster management have announced a 25-man squad for Saturday’s Magners League meeting with the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade (kick-off 6.30pm).
The selected Munster squad includes Ireland players Tony Buckley and Ronan O’Gara, who were both used as second half replacements in last Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations win over England.
Both Buckley and O’Gara took part in Munster’s training session in Limerick today, and team manager Shaun Payne is particularly pleased to have a player of O’Gara’s calibre and experience on board for the trip to the Dragons.
“It is a massive bonus to us to have Rog back. He will be disappointed obviously not to have started the game against England,” said Payne.
“You can be guaranteed one thing, he will be raring to go. It is a massive positive for us, especially when you consider the younger guys in the squad.
“There is no better role model or experienced guy to have in the squad that Rog.”
Munster are currently fourth in the Magners League standings and will be keen to maintain or better that position this weekend, ahead of three home fixtures against the Scarlets, Glasgow Warriors and Leinster.
Payne added: “This weekend’s game is very important. It is one of the few away games we have left.
“I think we have a good chance of making the top four, especially if we pick up a win in this game.”
MUNSTER Squad (v Newport Gwent Dragons) – Backs (11): Duncan Williams, Peter Stringer, Paul Warwick, Ronan O’Gara, Scott Deasy, Jean de Villiers, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling, Doug Howlett, Ciaran O’Boyle, Denis Hurley.
Forwards (14): Marcus Horan, Julien Brugnaut, Tony Buckley, Stephen Archer, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty, Mike Sherry, Mick O’Driscoll, Ian Nagle, Billy Holland, Alan Quinlan, Tommy O’Donnell, Nick Williams, James Coughlan.