Williams included in Munster squad

Defending champions Munster are at full strength ahead of their Heineken European Cup quarter-final meeting with the Ospreys …

Defending champions Munster are at full strength ahead of their Heineken European Cup quarter-final meeting with the Ospreys at Thomond Park on Sunday. Tony McGahan’s 26-man squad contains all the familiar faces plus that of 25-year-old Samoan Nick Williams.

The former Auckland Blues number eight has yet to win a cap for Munster after arriving from New Zealand in the winter.

Outhalf Ronan O'Gara and captain Paul O'Connell sat out today's training session at University Limerick but were resting as opposed nursing injuries.

Denis Leamy returns to the squad after missing out on the Magners League win over Leinster.

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Ospreys stand-in coach Sean Holley has opted for a 24-man squad that sees the return of Wales fullback Lee Byrne from injury.

Byrne sustained a plantar fasciitis (bruised heel and sole of the foot) in the early stages of the 17-15 defeat to Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on March 21st.

Both coaches will name their starting line-ups on Friday afternoon.

MUNSTER SQUAD

Forwards: Marcus Horan, Federico Pucciariello, Jerry Flannery, Denis Fogarty, John Hayes, Tony Buckley, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mick O'Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, Donnacha Ryan, David Wallace, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, Nick Williams.

Backs: Tomás O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Lifeimi Mafi, Keith Earls, Barry Murphy, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling, Kieran Lewis, Paul Warwick, Denis Hurley.

OSPREYS SQUAD

Forwards: Adam Jones, Paul James, Cai Griffiths, Richard Hibbard, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Filipo Levi, Alun-Wyn Jones, Andy Lloyd, Tom Smith, Ryan Jones, Filo Tiatia, Marty Holah

Backs: Lee Byrne, Jonny Vaughton, Tommy Bowe, Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, Andrew Bishop, Jonathan Spratt, James Hook, Dan Biggar, Jamie Nutbrown, Mike Phillips