Heineken Cup – Munster v Northampton:Having enjoyed a run out with Shannon in the All-Ireland League last weekend, Marcus Horan could be deployed in Europe when Munster face Northampton at Thomond Park tomorrow night.
The Ireland prop, who remarked simply that he is “delighted to be back”, is named among the replacements for the win-or-bust clash in Limerick.
Horan has not played since he retired during Munster’s Heineken Cup tie at home to Treviso after feeling unwell. He was subsequently found to be suffering from a minor heart ailment, which a routine procedure resolved.
Horan aside, it’s a case of as you were for Munster coach Tony McGahan as his side chase a home tie in the knock-out stages. David Wallace, who sat out the second half against Treviso last weekend, will again start at number eight in the continued absence of Denis Leamy with John Fogarty deputising for the injured Jerry Flannery.
Looking ahead to the clash, Donncha O’Callaghan welcomed Horan’s inclusion.
“We were all concerned when he had the knock but besides anything else it's just brilliant he's over the whole thing,” O’Callaghan explained. "He's been such a huge part of what this Munster squad is and although someone has to lose out and that's a tough thing on them, it's a great boost to have him in for this game."
With Northampton needing a win to keep their hopes of qualification alive, O’Callaghan is expecting an epic encounter.
"This will be right up there with the toughest we've ever faced,” added the second row. “They'll fancy their chances, in fact they make no bones but that they're coming here to win. That's the confidence they have.
"The incentive for us is not just getting to the next stage. It's getting there with a home advantage because we realise how important a home quarter-final is to the economy of this region and even more particularly so in these tough times."
Northampton coach Jim Mallinder is well aware of how difficult it is to storm the Limerick citadel but is optimistic of completing a rare double over the two-time champions.
“When the whistle blows it is just 15 men against 15,” he said today, “and if we play to our potential and stick to our game plan there is no reason why we can't win.
"The atmosphere in the squad has been very positive all week and there is plenty of belief that we can come home with the points."
Mallinder has made two changes to his starting line-up with Ireland international Neil Best making way for the fit again Courtney Lawes in the back row while Euan Murray returns to the front row.
Munster v Northampton Saints
Thomond Park, Friday 22nd, Kick-off 8pm
Munster:P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, J de Villiers, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell [capt]; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Wallace. Replacements:D Varley, M Horan, T Buckley, D Ryan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, L Mafi, I Dowling
Northampton Saints:B Foden; C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, B Reihana; S Geraghty, L Dickson; S Tongauiha, D Hartley [capt], E Murray; I Fernandez Lobbe, J Kruger; C Lawes, P Dowson, R Wilson. Replacements:B Sharman, A Waller, B Mujati, C Day, N Best, A Dickens, S Myler, C Mayor
Referee:Romain Poite