RUGBY NEWS ROUND-UP:MUNSTER WILL play New Zealand on Tuesday, November 18th, to mark the official opening of the redeveloped Thomond Park. The All Blacks have confirmed the acceptance of an invitation from the IRFU to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Irish province's 12-0 victory over New Zealand at the venue in 1978.
It's a tremendous coup and a notable honour for Munster rugby as the All Blacks visit Limerick as part of their November tour of Britain and Ireland.
The only difficulty in arranging the fixture for that date is that the match is scheduled in between Test matches against New Zealand and Argentina.
Ireland take on the All Blacks on Saturday, November 15th, and seven days later host Argentina as part of the national side's three-Test November series. It has obvious ramifications for the Munster players in the Ireland squad as it would be difficult to countenance them playing three matches in seven days and two of those against the All Blacks.
There's no doubt that captain Paul O'Connell and his Munster team-mates would cherish the honour of pulling on the red jersey to celebrate the 30th anniversary of such a landmark success in Munster rugby history.
But it's difficult to see how this can be accomplished and the likelihood is both Munster and New Zealand will delve into their squads to fulfil the fixture.
Even so it certainly won't do anything to dilute the interest of the Munster supporters in snapping up tickets for the match.
New Zealand were happy to accept the honour of playing the first match in the fully revamped Limerick venue, a fact confirmed by New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew.
"Munster has a proud history including their famous 1978 victory and a European Rugby Cup final this season," he said.
"We are delighted to be part of another chapter that also has commercial benefit for both teams. One of our aims is to find additional revenue to support the game in New Zealand. As rugby people we're glad to see it take the shape of a midweek match."
Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald was equally enthusiastic that an agreement had been reached to play the match and said, "I can't think of a better way to celebrate such an auspicious occasion than for Munster to play one of the top-ranked teams in the world in our own stadium.
"We are honoured they have accepted our invitation to help us open the new Thomond Park and we are looking forward to a fixture that has already captured the imagination of the public at large."
Of more immediate import for Munster coach Declan Kidney is tomorrow night's Magners League game against Ulster at Ravenhill.
It's likely he will start most of the bench for Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final as well as several of those who missed out on the match 22 in Coventry.
Kidney is also conscious Munster then have to travel to Llanelli for another Magners League match at the weekend, the province forced to play three matches in seven days, all away from home.
Leinster, who can win the league by beating Dragons at the RDS on Saturday, will announce a squad at lunchtime today.
ULSTER (squad v Munster):J Fitzpatrick; R Best, T Court, J Harrison, K Dawson, S Ferris, R Caldwell, C Del Fava, M McCullough, N Brady, B Young, N Best, R Wilson, S Philpott, P Marshall, I Boss, P Wallace, N O'Connor, M McCrea, S Danielli, A Trimble, T Bowe, B Cunningham, R Dewey, P Steinmetz, M Bartholomeusz.
