THE RaboDirect Pro 12 kicks off this weekend as reigning Celtic League champions, Munster, face the Newport Gwent Dragons in Musgrave Park on Saturday night. (Kick off 19.45)Tomas O’Leary and John Hayes who resumed training this week with Munster are included in Tony Mc Gahan’s 28 man squad for the opening game.
The squad trained in Cork on Tuesday while they will hold a very intense field session on Thursday in Limerick. The starting XV is due to be announced Friday lunchtime.
In other squad news, James Coughlan returns to the squad having missed last weekend’s game against London Irish with an eye injury. Former Leicester winger Johne Murphy is also included. Murphy strained a hamstring playing for the Ireland Select XV against Connacht.
The 28 man squad also includes Ian Keatley who will make his competitive debut for Munster this weekend in the number 10 shirt. The former Leinster and Connacht out half, was very impressive in last weekend’s win over London Irish (11-10) at Thomond Park, particularly in defence.
With Munster having won the Magners’ League last season, Tony Mc Gahan has only to improve on Munster’s European achievements this season.
When asked last weekend what needed to be improved on this season, the Australian native saw two keys areas which needed attention.
“We need to improve our set pieces. We know that, that is where games are won and lost and we need to get those right before anything else. We also need to improve on our decision making on the pitch. From about 60 to 70 metres out from the oppositions line it where we need to make sure we are clinical in our decisions”
With that in mind, Mc Gahan knows that the 12 and 13 berths are still in need of some strengthening. When asked last weekend if there were any signings on the horizon for Munster, Mc Gahan answered with, “We have not found anyone yet”
With the Irish internationals away at the World Cup, Munster will be hard pressed to win all of their six league games before the big names return. Four from six would be a great achievement, but knowing Munster as we do. Six from six is the aim.
Munster Squad (28): S Scanlon, J Murphy, D Howlett, D Hurley, S Zebo, L Mafi, D Barnes, S Deasy, I Keatley, D Williams, P Stringer, T O’Leary, M Horan, W du Preez, D Varley, M Sherry, S Archer, J Hayes, P Borlase, D Foley, M O’Driscoll, I Nagle, B Holland, D O’Callaghan, P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan.
(Not considered because of injury: Darragh Hurley (achillies); BJ Botha (calf)); T Smith (knee); D Wallace (knee); F Jones (foot)).
In local rugby news, this weekend sees the semi finals of the Limerick Charity Cup. UL Bohemians, winners over Garryowen last weekend will take on Shannon, winners over Nenagh, at Annacotty on Friday night at 19.00. This fixture of course pits new Bohs coach Colm Tucker against his old friends at Shannon.
In the other semi final, Young Munster will take on Thomond, also on Friday night. The game to be played at Greenfields sees Mike Prendergast side taking on Mike Grimes side in what will be an entertaining game to watch.
