Munster heavyweights ready for action

Rugby squad news:As expected Tony McGahan has named a number of Munster heavyweights in his 26-man squad ahead of the Magners League provincial derby sell-out against Leinster at the RDS on Saturday.

Lions captain Paul O'Connell, Keith Earls, David Wallace and Jerry Flannery are all set to make their seasonal debuts for the defending champions.

Paul Warwick and Niall Ronan also return from injury while Alan Quinlan is included among the backrow options despite picking up a neck injury during last weekend’s win over the Dragons. Barry Murphy picked up an ankle injury during that game and is unavailable.

McGahan is under no illusions and realises how difficult the task will be taking on the European champions, who themselves have recalled some of their big guns like Brian O’Driscoll.

"We know what a tough challenge Munster face this weekend," said the coach. "We need to be a lot better than last week going into this game and we need to build on each game gradually.

“As ever this is a local derby and the stakes are always very high but we look forward to the clash and what Leinster represents."

Paul O'Connell will seek to remove the memory of last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final defeat.

"Coming up against them (Leinster), it's always in the back of the mind but we really want to focus on ourselves more than the past and the hype,” said O’Connell.

“We have to look after ourselves and not worry about Leinster.”

“For me this is my first game back and the likes of Donners (O’Callaghan) and ROG (O’Gara) were involved last week and they'll no doubt be looking to build on that."

Kick-off at the RDS is 6.30pm.

Munster squad (v Leinster):

Forwards: M Horan, J Hayes, T Buckley, D Fogarty, J Flannery, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, D Ryan, D Leamy, N Ronan, D Wallace, N Williams, A Quinlan.

Backs: T O'Leary, T Morland, P Stringer, R O'Gara, P Warwick, J de Villiers, L Mafi, D Howlett, I Dowling, D Hurley, K Earls, F Jones.