Tipoki back in squad

MAGNERS LEAGUE:MUNSTER COACH Tony McGahan has included Rua Tipoki in an extended squad for Saturday's Magners League game against Edinburgh at Musgrave Park. It is the first time the New Zealander has been available for selection since damaging a knee against Ulster last month.

As anticipated, Ireland coach Declan Kidney has released Peter Stringer and Denis Leamy from the national squad so they can assist their province, while a fit again Keith Earls, Alan Quinlan and Mick O’Driscoll should start at the weekend.

Prop Tony Buckley has recovered from illness. The Munster squad return today from their week-long warm-weather camp in Lanzarote, hoping to confirm their position at the top of the table with another victory.

Their opponents Edinburgh welcome back prop Ryan Grant and wing Mark Robertson after surgery. However, coach Andy Robinson still has an extensive injury list, including Simon Webster (head knock), Geoff Cross (knee), Calum MacRae (leg), Gavin Kerr (back) and John Houston (fractured hand) and they join long-term casualties Matt Mustchin (ankle), Ross Rennie (knee), David Callam (hip), Fraser McKenzie (hamstring) and Steven Turnbull (ankle).

The halfback partnership of scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw and David Blair – they scored 11 points during the team’s previous trip to Musgrave Park – continues in a back division containing internationals Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca and Chris Paterson.

Meanwhile, Connacht confirmed that prop Brett Wilkinson and flanker Ray Ofisa have signed new two-year contracts. “They are fine players who constantly deliver high performances and we are delighted to secure their services,” said team manager Tim Allnutt.

Both players will become Ireland-qualified later this year.

MUNSTER SQUAD: Denis Hurley, D Howlett, R Tipoki, K Earls, K Lewis, L Mafi, C O’Boyle, J Manning, P Warwick, P Stringer, M Prendergast, D Williams, F Pucciariello, T Ryan, T Buckley, Darragh Hurley, D Fogarty, M Essex, M O’Driscoll, D Ryan, B Holland, A Quinlan, D Leamy, N Ronan, N Williams, J O’Sullivan.

EDINBURGH: C Paterson; A Turnbull, B Cairns, N de Luca, M Robertson; D Blair, G Laidlaw; K Traynor, A Kelly, R Grant, C Hamilton, B Gissing; S Cross, A MacDonald, A Hogg (capt). Replacements: S Lawrie, B McNeil, S MacLeod, S Newlands, B Meyer, J Thompson, R Reid.