Holland Skippers Munster For Melrose Trip
Ireland international Donnacha Ryan will return from suspension to feature for Munster in their British & Irish Cup Pool B clash with Melrose at the Greenyards (kick-off 2pm) on Saturday.
As things stand, Saturday game is set to go ahead at the famous Greenyards club in the Borders area of Scotland – although snow remains covering the pitch.
The club have enlisted the help of the public in clearing the snow and that work is set to continue today and tomorrow with Ayr RFC being talked of as an alternative venue in the event that the Melrosians’ efforts fail.
Melrose have not had a game since November 20 when they went down 20-18 away to Currie. Subsequent home games against Glasgow Hawks and Ayr were postponed because of adverse weather conditions.
It has been almost two months since Anthony Foley’s Munster side had their last outing, that being the disappointing 15-13 defeat to Llanelli at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre.
Danny Barnes sustained a nasty ankle injury that night but he returns to the squad for Saturday’s game as does another injury victim Dave Foley.
Also included in the province’s squad, which is captained by lock Blly Holland, are the likes of Tommy O’Donnell, Peter Borlase, Barry Murphy, Tom Gleeson and Scott Deasy, who all have plenty of experience at senior level.
Foley is expected to finalise his side after training in Cork on Friday.
MUNSTER Squad (v Melrose) – Backs (10): Scott Deasy, Sean Scanlon, Danny Barnes, Barry Murphy, Troy Smith, Ivan Dineen, Tom Gleeson, Cathal Sheridan, Conor Murray, Declan Cusack.
Forwards (12): Dave Ryan, Stephen Archer, Peter Borlase, Sean Henry, Duncan Casey, Billy Holland (capt), Donnacha Ryan, Dave Foley, David O’Callaghan, Kieran Essex, Tommy O’Donnell, Paddy Butler.