A few bumps along the way

RUGBY NEWS: Bruises, lumps, the odd dead leg but much to the delight of the Ireland team management, the training week in Limerick hasn't produced any serious injuries.

The main concern outside of the long-term injury concerns, Paul O'Connell, Anthony Horgan, David Wallace and Geordan Murphy (October) was Leinster centre Shane Horgan (right).

Ireland team manager Brian O'Brien confirmed: "At the moment it looks like Shane could be out for two to three weeks, but it doesn't appear as bad as first feared.

"There have been the usual training bumps, but nothing untoward at this stage."

The squad will disband today at lunch-time and it is likely that a team to play Romania at Thomond Park on September 7th will be announced early next week.

Horgan is unlikely to be rushed back for the friendly test match especially as Kevin Maggs came through this week in fine fettle following a badly broken arm sustained at the end of last season.

The Bath centre will play for his club this weekend. O'Brien confirmed that they concentrated on ball-work this week in a bid to develop a multi-faceted game plan, veering away from a one- dimensional approach.

"We are trying to expand our approach to the game, take it up a couple of rungs. There was a lot of emphasis on physical defence and attack for that matter.

"The reaction of the players, especially after two hard weeks in Poland has been excellent and they have worked very hard."

Meanwhile, Connacht host Munster at the Sportsground today (3.0), a pre-season tune-up that allows the respective coaches Steph Nel and Alan Gaffney the opportunity to cast a critical eye over several fringe players in a semi-competitive environment.

The match will be sub-divided into three segments of 30 minutes, 40 and 30 respectively - the first two should see both provinces field their strongest teams.

Newcomers to the Munster squad, Dom Malone and Warren O'Kelly, get a first start while the prodigal son Eddie Halvey will be a popular figure on his return to Munster colours.

Incidentally, two of the the aforementioned trio has been assigned clubs for the forthcoming season.

Malone is to join UL Bohemian, Halvey unsurprisingly returns to Shannon while Australian prop Simon Kerr will line out with Garryowen.

Connacht had no injury concerns and were expected to choose from a full squad including new recruits Australian Warrick Waugh and Scottish international Eric Peters.

MUNSTER: J Lacey; M Lawlor, Conor Mahony, J Holland, K O'Riordan; J Staunton, D Malone, P Brennan, J Fogarty, W O'Kelly; M Galwey, D O'Callaghan; E Halvey, J Williams (capt), C McMahon. Replacements: M Prendergast, K Keane, T Cregan, J Blaney, J Cullinane, T Hogan, D Bowles.