MUNSTER HAVE NAMED their squad for this Saturday’s derby match with Leinster in the Aviva Stadium.
The Southerners sit atop the Magners League table with maximum points from four matches and have been in fine form so far this season. Munster have based their wins on a strong defence- their total of sixty nine points conceded is the lowest in the league.
Leinster have lost their last two Magners League matches against Aironi and Edinburgh, but Munster manager Tony McGahan was cautious regarding his opponents. “We expect Leinster to be at their best on Saturday, and you can’t argue with history and with the stats but this game will be judged on its own merits. It’s always a motivation when you lose to any side.”
Wet weather is expected for Saturday’s match, but McGahan says the conditions will not affect his side’s ability to perform. “Whatever the conditions both sides will adapt, it’ll be the same for them. Obviously, we’d like a dry sod, I’m sure supporters would too. But it’s not as though either ourselves or Leinster are not used to playing in the wet.”
Scrum-half Tomás O’Leary said that the feeling around the Munster camp was not one of revenge after Leinster beat Munster in the Magners League the last time the two sides met.
“It’s a league game, four points on offer and hopefully we can get them. There’s no talk of revenge, it’s a fresh season and neither side are satisfied with last season and we certainly want to improve anyway. You have to be on top of your game to compete against Leinster, especially up in Dublin.”
Munster are still missing Keith Earls, Jerry Flannery, Ian Dowling and Felix Jones through injury.
Munster Squad: Wian Du Preez, Marcus Horan, Mike Sherry, Sean Henry, Damien Varley, John Hayes, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, Peter O’Mahony, James Coughlan, Tomás O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Scott Deasy, Paul Warwick, Danny Barnes, Lifemi Mafi, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley.
