Munster Announce Squad For Edinburgh Trip
Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary and Donncha O’Callaghan all return to the Munster squad for Friday’s Magners League game against Edinburgh at Murrayfield (kick-off 7.05pm).
Back from international duty, Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary and Donncha O’Callaghan are all expected to feature at some stage in Friday’s encounter, as Munster attempt to build on their good opening round win and improve on their away form from last season.
Munster team manager Shaun Payne said: “Our away form wasn’t good last season, that’s something we are very conscious of and looking to improve.
“This weekend is an opportunity to begin that process and so it’s a massive game for us.”
Winger Ian Dowling, who featured in the 33-17 bonus point win over Aironi Rugby, added: “With Edinburgh on Friday, we were a bit disappointed with our away form last season. One of our targets this season is to score a lot more away from home and come away with a lot more ‘Ws’ rather than losses.
“When you go away from home you don’t expect to get anything easy, especially with the Magners League getting so much more competitive. It will be a tough game and I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
Munster’s most visit to Murrayfield came last October when four penalty goals from Chris Paterson steered the home side to a 12-7 victory.
MUNSTER Squad (v Edinburgh) – Backs (13): Denis Hurley, Felix Jones, Scott Deasy, Ian Dowling, Doug Howlett, Danny Barnes, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Ronan O’Gara, Paul Warwick, Duncan Williams, Peter Stringer, Tomas O’Leary.
Forwards (16): Wian du Preez, Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty, John Hayes, Tony Buckley, Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland, Donncha Ryan, Mick O’Driscoll, Ian Nagle, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony.