Munster Squad Selected For British & Irish Cup Opener
Munster coach Anthony Foley has named his squad for their British & Irish Cup Pool B clash with Llanelli at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm).
Munster played Nottingham last season at the Waterford venue and Anthony Foley’s squad returned there for a pre-season training camp in August.
The squad chosen for Friday’s Pool B opener includes the likes of Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, Stephen Archer, Danny Barnes and last season’s British & Irish Cup captain, Peter O’Mahony,who have all been involved with the senior panel this season.
There is also a welcome addition in the form of the 66-times capped Barry Murphy who returns from injury.
Looking forward to this return to competitive action, head coach Foley said: “Hopefully we’ll get another big crowd, another great night in Waterford, to give us the perfect start to the weekend.”
The match against Llanelli is the precursor to Munster’s crucial Heineken Cup encounter with Toulon at Thomond Park on Saturday.
Foley’s charges were beaten 23-14 by the Cornish Pirates in last season’s inaugural British & Irish Cup final, and will be determined to go one better in 2011.
As well as Llanelli, they have Bristol, Esher, Melrose and Nottingham for company in Pool B.
There are five rounds in the pool stages as per last season, but an additional quarter-final stage has been added with the top two teams from each pool progressing to the last-eight.
MUNSTER Squad (v Llanelli) – Backs (13): Danny Barnes, Ivan Dineen, Troy Smith, Barry Murphy, Simon Zebo, Sean Scanlon, Luke O’Dea, Ronan O’Mahony, Gareth Quinn McDonogh, JJ Hanrahan, Declan Cusack, Conor Murray, Paul Rowley.
Forwards (12): Dave Ryan, Darragh Hurley, Mike Sherry, Sean Henry, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley (capt), David O’Callaghan, Ian Nagle, Paddy Butler, Peter O’Mahony, Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell.
Related Links –
2010/11 British & Irish Cup Fixtures
Munster Miss Out On British & Irish Cup Title