European Cup, Biarritz v Munster: Munster's attempt to compensate for the loss of Christian Cullen suffered a massive setback yesterday when new signing Brian Lima was ruled out of Sunday's Heineken European Cup quarter-final against Biarritz Olympique in San Sebastian.
At the end of Tuesday's morning session at the University of Limerick, Lima pulled up with what was initially thought to be a mild strain. However, the worst possible scenario became apparent when a scan revealed serious damage to the quadricep muscle. He will undergo further medical examination this week to determine the full extent of the injury but will definitely not travel to the Basque country.
The Samoan international only joined his new team-mates over the weekend after an impressive performance in the recent tsunami benefit match at Twickenham between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres prompted the province to offer him a short-term contract.
Considering Lima's experience and ability to play wing, fullback or centre he seemed like a godsend to paper over the cracks after Cullen damaged his right shoulder against the Cardiff Blues on March 5th.
The Munster management stressed Lima was fully fit when he arrived from the Hong Kong Sevens last week.
"It goes without saying that I am very disappointed with the news of Brian's injury," said Munster coach Alan Gaffney. "He is a vastly experienced and skilful player who would have complemented our squad travelling for what was always going to be a very difficult game.
"In circumstances like this you have to feel for a player who travelled half-way across the world to play with us.
"I know he was looking forward to the challenge so it's really tough on him. Tough on everyone, but that's the environment we operate in.
"This sort of thing is part and parcel of the job we work at. We have just got to move on quickly and deal with this as we would any setback."
Gaffney has little choice but to continue preparations for Munster's biggest game of the season despite a mounting injury list that also includes Irish internationals Ronan O'Gara (knee) and Denis Leamy (hamstring).
Their options behind the scrum are now clearcut. Just 10 backs are left in the 25-man squad and tomorrow's team announcement from Shannon airport is expected to see Shaun Payne at fullback with Rob Henderson and Mike Mullins in the centre. Anthony Horgan will take one wing berth with either John Kelly or rugby league convert Paul Devlin on the other.
Meanwhile, the Sale Sharks have returned a large block of stand tickets for Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final first leg at the Sportsground. The Connacht Branch headquarters will sell these and a limited number of terrace tickets from 9am this morning.
Tickets are also available from Elverys stores throughout the west of Ireland, including Limerick and Ennis.
Also they can be purchased online at www.connachtrugby.ie or by ringing the Connacht Branch on 091-561568. Terrace tickets cost €20, stand seats are €35.
A limited number of family tickets are available at €35, these include two adults and two children under 12.
The IRB have announced that their recent benefit match at Twickenham raised almost €3 million for the United Nations World Food Programme.
