Rugby – Squad News:Jerry Flannery was ruled out of the Munster squad ahead of Saturday's Heineken Cup game against Pool 1 bottom side Treviso, while prop Marcus Horan made a welcome return to training but will not make this weekend's trip to Italy.
Flannery is still recovering from an Achilles injury with the Ireland hooker aiming to be fit in time for the opening game of the Six Nations against Italy at Croke Park next month (February 6th).
“Jerry won’t be involved this weekend,” said coach Tony McGahan. “He is recovering nicely from the operation but with no game time it’s not practical to rush him back.”
In Flannery’s absence Denis Fogarty will continue as the province’s first choice hooker with Damien Varley set to deputise from the bench.
Denis Leamy is the only casualty from the side that famously defeated Perpignan on the road in the last round in December.
Horan returned to training at Musgrave Park this afternoon but McGahan is set to keep with South African Wian du Preez, John Hayes, Tony Buckley and Julien Brugnaut as his options at prop.
Internationals Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary and Hayes all return to the 26-man squad and are set to start in Italy.
The coach will name his match day 22 on Friday.
Munster squad (v Treviso):P Warwick, D Hurley, D Howlett, I Dowling, L Mafi, K Earls, J de Villiers, P Stringer, T O'Leary, R O'Gara, W du Preez, J Hayes, T Buckley, J Brugnaut, S Archer, D Varley, D Fogarty, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, D Ryan, J Coughlan, N Ronan, B Holland, A Quinlan, D Wallace.
