Hayes returns for Munster ahead of derby

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named John Hayes in a 29 man squad in what is otherwise an unchanged squad for the Magners League clash with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium this weekend. With new long-term injuries in the backline to Felix Jones and ian Dowling and the continued absence of Keith Earls, McGahan may revert to a similar format as last week with Mafi staying in the centre and Johne Murphy switching to the wing.

McGahan named his squad after training in Cork Institute of Technology this Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Leinster continued their squad preparations ahead of this Saturday’s tie with a decision on the quad strain suffered by Johny Sexton to be made later in the week.

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.