MAGNERS LEAGUE: Munster v Ospreys:IF MUNSTER need to compete against Ospreys in a league they have already won, then the final match in a red shirt for Frankie Sheahan and Anthony Horgan might just provide the team with a emotional lift.
Munster will also bid adieu to Mike Prendergast, Kieran Lewis, Federico Pucciariello, John O’Sullivan and Michael Essex, while captain Paul O’Connell will be presented with the Magners League trophy after the game.
Add to that the inclusion of four Lions, Ronan O’Gara, Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls and David Wallace in the starting line-up and all in all there’s enough passion swirling around to make it a memorable night at Thomond Park.
Horgan and Sheahan have served Munster for 12 years, Sheahan making his debut against Western Samoa in 1996, while Horgan’s debut arrived six months later in an interprovincial championship match against Connacht. Between the two they have earned over 300 Munster caps.
Ospreys come to Limerick without their Lions players. So there is no Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe, Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips, Alun-Wyn Jones or Adam Jones. Sonny Parker makes his 100th appearance for the club, while experience in the backrow through Welsh captain Ryan Jones, Marty Holah and Filo Tiatia will ensure it won’t be a stroll for the home side.
James Hook may also harbour ambitions that Ian McGeechan will come looking for him as a replacement for Tom Shanklin to fill an outhalf/centre role, so he’s likely to be game for the occasion.
“The boys selected are certainly fired up for the game. They aren’t approaching it as an end-of-season chuck about,” said Ospreys coach Sean Holley.
“There are plenty of players with a point to prove. We have players who haven’t been selected for Wales and want to show what they’re about.
“Some of the team have bad memories of their last visit to Thomond Park (record 43-9 defeat in 2009 Heineken Cup quarter-final) and we have some youngsters and new faces that want to make an impact.”
Provided they come through the match uninjured, O’Gara, O’Connell, Wallace, Earls and Donncha O’Callaghan all depart to London on Monday to team up with the Lions squad.
MUNSTER: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer; F Pucciarello, D Fogarty, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell (capt), D Leamy, N Ronan, D Wallace. Replacements:F Sheahan, D Ryan, D O'Callaghan, J O'Sullivan, M Prendergast, A Horgan, K Lewis.
OSPREYS: G Owen; A Beck, S Parker, J Spratt, D Evans; J Hook, J Nutbrown; P James, R Hibbard, C Griffiths, I Gough, A Lloyd, R Jones (capt), M Holah, F Tiatia. Replacements: S Baldwin, D Jones, C Mitchell, R Kelly, S Tandy, R Wells, D Biggar.
Referee:P Allan (Scotland).
Verdict:Munster win.
