Kidney faces some tough calls

MICK O'DRISCOLL, Federico Pucciariello and Tomas O'Leary - absentees from training earlier in the week with back, stomach bug and hamstring complaints respectively - all took a full part in training yesterday prior to Munster's departure from Shannon to Cardiff this morning, leaving Declan Kidney with a relatively full hand to play with and some tough choices to make.

While the rest of the squad will move on to their base in the Vale of Glamorgan retreat, Kidney and captain Paul O'Connell will attend the obligatory 1pm press conference at the Millennium Stadium along with their Toulouse counterparts at which both coaches will confirm their selections.

The expectation remains Kidney will opt for the same starting XV which kicked off the semi-final win over Saracens. The toughest call would appear to be between O'Leary and the vastly more experienced Peter Stringer, try-scoring man-of-the-match in the final here two years ago, but O'Leary's return to full training and the presence of the ultra physical Byron Kelleher for Toulouse possibly tilts the decision towards O'Leary.

As for the bench, Pucciariello's greater experience and versatility across the frontrow again looks like earning him the nod over Tony Buckley. Against that, the youth and physicality of Donncha Ryan again looks likely to earn preference over the player who has made more Heineken Cup appearances than any other, Anthony Foley. One change on the bench from the semi-final is enforced given the absence of Barry Murphy, with Keith Earls, Kieran Lewis and Shaun Payne vying for the number 22 jersey. The mixture of versatility and experience which Lewis brings may see him edge that decision.

Despite the absence of Vincent Clerc and Clement Poitrenaud, Guy Noves has a much stronger hand to play with than was the case in Toulouse's semi-final win over London Irish given the return to combat of Florian Fritz, Maleli Kunavore and tighthead Jean-Baptiste Poux. Fritz should return alongside Yannick Jauzion, perhaps with this season's try-scoring sensation Maxime Medart and Yves Donguy on the wings.

Poux will likely start alongside William Servat and Daan Human, with Fabien Pelous and Patricio Albacete in the secondrow and Jean Bouilhou in the backrow alongside Shaun Sowerby and the big-hitting Thierry Dusautoir as Toulouse attempt to go after the Munster throw. Given his forward options, Noves may opt for a five-two split on the bench.