Anthony Foley has received the all-clear on a hand injury sustained while playing for Munster in their opening Celtic League game against Edinburgh last Friday night. The Shannon and Ireland number eight took a blow to the hand during the match and it was first feared that he had broken a knuckle. However following an x-ray yesterday, it was revealed that there were no broken bones.
Munster give debuts to two new squad members, former Connacht tighthead Martin Cahill and Australian and ex ACT Brumbies backrow Jim Williams for their friendly against London Irish at Murgrave Park tonight (6.30).
Cahill joins Marcus Horan and Cork Constitution utility forward John Fogarty in the front row. In a much changed team from that which secured a fine 25-22 win away to Edinburgh last Friday night, coach Declan Kidney has used this match as an opportunity to provide his extended squad with a competitive outing.
Donnacha O'Callaghan partners Paul O'Connell in the second row while David Bowles joins Williams - he is selected at openside flanker - and either Denis Leamy of Peter Malone in the backrow. Leamy and Malone will share a half each and it is not yet revea led which player will start.
Behind the scrum, Mike Prendergast partners Killian Keane at halfback with Kidney still to confirm the three quarter line and fullback. The likelihood is that Dominic Crotty, John O'Neill and John Lacey will occupy the fullback and wing positions respect ively with Mossie Lawlor, Conor Mahony and Dermot O'Sullivan disputing the two centre places.
London Irish include two former Munster players in outhalf Barry Everitt and flanker Eddie Halvey, both guaranteed a warm reception. The Exiles side also includes Irish internationals Justin Bishop and Kieron Dawson alongside player coach Brendan Venter and former Springbok international hooker Naka Drotske.
Munster do not have a Celtic League game at the weekend but resume in the competition against Connacht at Thomond Park next Tuesday at 7.35pm, a game that can be seen live on TG4. This battle of the Irish provinces will also count towards the Guinness In terprovincial Championship.
Connacht, fresh from an excellent 6-3 victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park, are expected to announce their team for Friday night's Celtic League clash with Edinburgh at the Sportsground today: this game, which kicks off at 6.15, can also be viewed live on TG4. They will definitely be without South African Wayne Munn as the left wing damaged medial ligaments in his knee the last day and will be out for two to three weeks.
Scrumhalf Chris Keane could also miss out because of exam commitments. Ulster, away to Ebbw Vale, must plan without former Springbok international Robbie Brink who popped a shoulder in their superb victory over Swansea at Ravenhill last Friday night. Coach Alan Solomons conceded that the player might miss the entire competition's league phase.
Leinster will have former Australian international outhalf Nathan Spooner, flanker Eric Miller and prop Emmet Byrne available for selection ahead of Friday night's clash with Llanelli at Stradey Park.
Coach Matt Williams will announce his team tomorrow and there is a possibility that Brian O'Driscoll and Malcolm O'Kelly could be included among the replacements.
MUNSTER: (backs from) D Crotty, J O'Neill, D O'Sullivan, J Lacey, C Mahony, M Lawlor; K Keane, M Prendergast; M Horan, J Fogarty, M Cahill; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; D Bowles, D Leamy/P Malone, J Williams. Replacements: J Blaney, D Clohessy, J O'Drisco ll, D Hegarty (plus two players who do not make the starting XV already named above)
LONDON IRISH: M Horak; J Cunningham, J Bishop, B Venter, P Sackey; B Everitt, D Edwards; N Hatley, N Drotske, S Halford; J Fahrensohn, R Strudwick; E Halvey, D Danaher, K Dawson.
The Ulster Branch has confirmed that Canterbury hooker Matt Sexton will not now be joining the provincial squad. In a statement released yesterday the Branch pointed out that "due to contractual reasons,
Sexton can not be released until the end of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) in New Zealand, thereby making Matt ineligible for Ulster's European Cup campaign, which starts at the end of September away to Benetton Treviso.
"Consequently, the Ulster Branch has entered into negotiations for another hooker, and are hoping to make an announcement by the end of this week."
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