MARCUS HORAN returns to the Munster squad for the first time since the home win over Treviso in mid-October for Friday’s time-honoured do-or-die last-day mission at Thomond Park against high-flying English opposition, this time in the shape of Northampton.
It was against Treviso that the 72-times capped Irish loosehead suffered dizzy spells which prompted a “routine medical procedure” to correct an irregular heartbeat. His long-time frontrow colleague with Munster, Frankie Sheahan, underwent a similar procedure in June 2008 with the same doctor, Dr Gerry Fahy, and believes that not only will the procedure help to extend Horan’s career, but that he will feel stronger than before.
Having resumed training three weeks ago, a couple of prospective returns for Shannon were postponed before last Saturday’s 80-minute run-out in Shannon’s AIB League 32-10 win over Dolphin. “He ticks a lot of boxes so he’ll certainly be in the mix for Friday night,” said Tony McGahan, but the likelihood is Horan will be confined to a place on the bench.
“It’s a long stretch for a frontrow player (13 weeks) and Wian (du Preez) and John (Hayes) have done an excellent job for us.”
Northampton did something of a number on Munster in the set scrums in round one but McGahan’s anxiousness has been assuaged over the last half-dozen games by the arrival of du Preez who, as short-term hired guns go, has worked out a treat.
“I think he’s been outstanding,” enthused the Munster coach. “To come into a side at any stage of the season through a third of the competition phase and fit in so well, as a person and in his rugby – both in the set-piece and around the pitch he has been excellent – has made him a really important part of our success over this phase.”
Munster were “very lucky and fortunate” in their acquisition of du Preez, who was recommended to manager Shaun Payne, and returns home on Sunday to resume training with the Cheetahs on Tuesday.
Involved with Munster for the last five seasons, McGahan is entirely familiar with this customary last weekend setting. “Round six again, an English opponent in excellent form and again a decider in a shoot-out to see who qualifies first and who goes through to get a quarter-final spot and again a great week to be part of. More important it’s going to be a great game but really these are the ones that you want to win and these are the ones you need to win.”
The Saints also arrive on the crest of a 10-game winning run. “It seems to be always that way, that the English side that comes over at this time is the number one side through form,” said McGahan. “They’ve got a lot of belief, a lot of high quality players, they’ll be coming here well and truly confident in their ability. They’ve spoken about that all season since they beat us in round one and that’s certainly been the talk coming from their camp this week.”
If the Saints are still in a very good place, Munster are at least in a better one themselves since the opening 31-27 defeat at Franklin’s Gardens. “We have a better understanding of the way we’re trying to play,” said McGahan. “I think we’ve worked a lot harder to maybe get a lot more 50-50 decisions at the breakdown. You can eliminate a lot of penalties and grey areas when you’re being dominant in that area, and that’s the perception of the referees and the opposition. I also think we’ve really upped the ante with regard to work-rate, intensity and what we’re trying to do.”
That Northampton are the only Heineken Cup opponents who can point to a zero in Munster’s win column, the Saints also having won the 2000 final in Twickenham, is another carrot for Munster according to McGahan, a la ending Perpignan’s 23-game winning home run, and 16-match winning sequence at Stade Aime Giral.
Along with Horan, Stephen Archer, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland and Tom Gleeson have been added to the 23 on duty in Treviso. David Wallace took a limited part in a fairly full-on double session at the Bowl in the University of Limerick yesterday in blustery conditions and under darkened skies, but all 28 are fit for selection. Jerry Flannery also took part in his first contact session since his Achilles tendon operation and may play for Shannon this weekend.
Munster will complete their shortened preparations (though Northampton only have a five-day turnaround) with a captain’s run at Musgrave Park tomorrow, after which the starting XV and replacements will be named. The team will almost certainly be unchanged, with Horan replacing Julien Brugnaut on the bench.
There will be a bucket collection before the game on Friday evening in support of the Unicef’s Haitan Earthquake Appeal and there will be a minute’s silence prior to kick off.
MUNSTER SQUAD (v Northampton)
Forwards –W Du Preez, J Brugnaut, S Archer, J Hayes, M Horan, T Buckley, D Fogarty, D Varley, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, D Ryan, J Coughlan, M O'Driscoll, B Holland, A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Wallace.
Backs –T O'Leary, P Stringer, R O'Gara, J De Villiers, K Earls, T Gleeson, L Mafi, D Howlett, I Dowling, D Hurley, P Warwick.
