Munster, the reigning Magners League Champions, tripped up in Glasgow last Friday and have now lost two of their last three matches in the Magners League. The Munstermen have won their last seven home games in all competitions since Ulster were victorious at Thomond Park Stadium on 3 January. Both Alan Quinlan and John Hayes are included in a 25 strong Munster squad for the Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues in Thomond Park Stadium on Friday (7.05).
Munster: Danny Barnes, Felix Jones, Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett, Barry Murphy, Tom Gleeson, Lifeimi Mafi, Jeremy Manning, Toby Morland, Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julian Brugnaut, John Hayes, Denis Fogarty, Damian Varley, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, James Coughlan.
Cardiff Blues’ narrow 21-22 reversal to Edinburgh at the brand new Cardiff City Stadium made it three straight losses for the Blues.
A Welsh side has not won at Thomond Park since the Dragons were the visitors on 12 March 2004, whilst the Blues have lost on each of their three previous visits to Limerick. Cardiff Blues have won on their last two trips to Ireland.
WALES TO THE FORE
With Welsh teams occupying three of the top four places in The Magners League table after the opening round of games, the balance may be re-addressed this weekend as three of the Regions find themselves on the road.
The most difficult task must face Cardiff Blues, who after a narrow loss at home to last season’s runners up, Edinburgh, now face the prospect of playing the reigning Magners League champions, Munster, at Thomond Park
Stadium on Friday night. A Welsh side has not won at the venue since a Newport Gwent Dragons victory in March 2004.
Elsewhere on Friday night Connacht are the visitors at Murrayfield, with their hosts Edinburgh having continued the momentum they built up last season by recording their seventh straight victory in the opening round.
Saturday sees European champions Leinster welcome Newport Gwent Dragons to the RDS in Dublin. The Welsh Region are top of the Magners League table going into the weekend, but they have yet to record a victory in six previous matches in the capital.
The other Saturday fixture is also a Welsh v Irish affair, this time the Liberty Stadium in Swansea is the venue as Ospreys host Ulster. The Irish Province have won just once at the stadium, when they secured the Magners League title in May 2006.
The round wraps up on Sunday when Glasgow Warriors play Scarlets at Firhill Arena, but with both teams victorious first time out, someone’s record will have to go. Scarlets have won just once in league games against Glasgow, at Hughenden in November 2003.
