Shoulder could prove last straw for Cullen

RUGBY: Christian Cullen's association with Munster is under threat after yet another shoulder injury ended his involvement in Saturday's Magners League game with Ulster at Musgrave Park.

The 30-year-old fullback had a scan yesterday on his right shoulder but must wait another today for a complete diagnosis.

The damage occurred when Cullen attempted to deny another Kiwi, Paul Steinmetz, the game's opening try after just nine minutes.

Munster extended Cullen's initial three-year contract during the summer - for one season - but a clause was added regarding financial implications in the event of yet another long-term injury.

"We don't discuss players' contracts," said Munster spokesman Pat Geraghty. "Christian has said himself he will pack it in if such a case recurs, but deciding on this will be down to Christian Cullen and Christian Cullen only. It requires a second scan so we must wait and see the results of that first."

Since 2002, Cullen has gone under the knife for a knee and two shoulder operations (right and left). He seemed poised for a dramatic recall to the Munster team ahead of the Heineken European Cup final last May until a calf injury sustained against Llanelli ruled him out.

In many respects, the one-time "Paekakariki Express" is a victim of his own outstanding talent. He won the first of 58 New Zealand caps - 53 of which were in succession - as a 20-year-old, going on to notch up a record 46 tries until former All Black coach John Mitchell ended his international career by excluding him from the 2003 World Cup squad.

In an interview with the New Zealand Herald last November, Cullen expressed a desire to repay Munster's faith in him.

"I really want one full season without injury," he said. "If you are asking if I'm the same player as when I was 22, then the answer is no. Age catches up with you and injuries haven't helped."

The problems don't end there for Munster coach Declan Kidney.

Anthony Horgan damaged knee cartilage in the Ulster game and must see a specialist this weekend.

Shaun Payne has a bruised hip and Ian Dowling a tight hamstring, making both players doubtful for Friday's repeat of last season's European Cup semi-final against Leinster at Lansdowne Road.

On the positive side, Frankie Sheahan, Tomás O'Leary, Jeremy Manning and Barry Murphy have been recalled to the 24-man squad - with Murphy in line for game time for the first time since a gruesome leg break ended an excellent breakthrough season.

The Leinster Branch are eyeing up the Celtic League attendance record for this quasi-Irish trial - 14,135 showed up at the RDS for this fixture last New Year's Eve, but Leinster's failed title bid against the Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium last May attracted 15,327.

The capacity will be 35,000, despite the north terrace being closed and temporary bucket seating installed in the east and south terraces for the upcoming soccer international against the Czech Republic on November 11th. Tickets can be purchased at usual outlets and on www.leinsterrugby.ie.

Leinster fielded an international back line - except for teenage sensation Luke Fitzgerald - for the first time this season in last Friday's 31-16 victory over Connacht.

Chris Whitaker's shoulder injury, which forced him off after nine minutes, is expected to heal, while Felipe Contepomi is also available after Leinster blocked his call-up to an Argentinean training camp in Switzerland this week.

Robert Kearney (hamstring) and Kieran Lewis (wrist) remain doubtful, but Gordon D'Arcy is expected to start after kicking an important drop-goal when coming on for Fitzgerald against Connacht.

Fitzgerald may be temporarily demoted to the bench as Shane Horgan switches to his international right-wing slot to accommodate D'Arcy at centre.

Up front, Malcolm O'Kelly should also return at the expense of Owen Finegan as the Leinster lineout is in desperate need of rejuvenation.

This may even open the door for Brian Blaney to reclaim the number two jersey he monopolised last season, although Bernard Jackman and Harry Vermaas may not necessarily agree.

The game is live on Setanta Sports at 7.30pm, meaning the Galway Sportsground will again experience a TV blackout when Connacht and Ulster kick off at 6.30pm. Not a single Connacht home game has been pencilled in for live coverage this season.

Of course, the absence of the television cameras from Galway may be helping attendances; a record 3,678 turned out last Friday.

Conor McPhilips (hamstring), John Hearty (leg) and captain John Fogarty (shoulder) must all undergo fitness tests this week as Michael Bradley's team seek to end a three-game winless streak.

Ulster will be some way short of full strength as they also came out of the fractious Musgrave experience with a raft of injuries. Justin Fitzpatrick (calf) is a doubt, while Steinmetz picked up a shoulder injury and must join the hamstrung Tommy Bowe and Mark Bartholomeusz on the treatment table.

Ulster captain Simon Best is at least a month off completing rehabilitation on the broken ankle he sustained at the end of last season.

MUNSTER SQUAD: J Kelly, S Payne, I Dowling, T Halstead, R O'Gara, P Stringer, T O'Leary, B Murphy, J Manning, B O'Meara, E Hickey, M Horan, A Kyriacou, F Pucciariello, F Roche, F Sheahan, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt), A Quinlan, D Wallace, A Foley, T McGann, T Ryan, M O'Driscoll.