Munster v Cardiff:JUST ONE Lion in the line-up but the Munster team to face Cardiff Blues this evening has a more serious look about it.
The pack has been beefed up with the arrival of prop John Hayes, who played in the third Lions Test, and flanker Alan Quinlan, both making seasonal debuts. Quinlan’s 12-week suspension for making contact with the eyes of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final ended yesterday.
The 34-year-old and Hayes will bring experience to Munster’s campaign, which floundered first time out last weekend. Hayes comes into the frontrow in place of Tony Buckley. while Quinlan takes over from Billy Holland. Buckley and Holland are named on the bench.
The only other starting change is in the centre, where Barry Murphy retains the number 13 jersey, with Tom Gleeson, who he replaced in the 63rd minute in Firhill, among the replacements.
“I’m delighted to be pulling on that Munster shirt again. Really looking forward to the game,” said Quinlan. “Pre-season has gone really well and I feel in good shape but it’s a big step up from training, particularly when it’s against a quality side like Cardiff.”
Cardiff arrive in Limerick with a team bristling with talent. From Leigh Halfpenny on the wing, Gareth Thomas in the centre, Ma’ama Molitika and All Black Xavier Rush in the pack, there is quality. But they have also been slow to get going and lost at home last week to Edinburgh by a point.
“I think last season for the first three games we were very poor. You can’t peak for 10 months but we certainly want to be better,” said Cardiff’s director of rugby, David Young.
Munster have won their last seven games in Thomond Park in all competitions and have to go back to last January for the last home defeat, when more than 25,000 people watched Ulster trash them 11-37. But no Welsh side has won in Limerick since the Dragons in March 2004.
MUNSTER: F Jones; D Howlett, B Murphy, L Mafi, D Hurley; J Manning, P Stringer; M Horan, D Fogarty, J Hayes; M O'Driscoll (capt), D Ryan; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, T Buckley, B Holland, T O'Donnell, T Morland, S Deasy, T Gleeson.
CARDIFF: B Blair; L Halfpenny, G Thomas, D Hewitt, C Czekaj; C Sweeney, G Cooper; J Yapp, R Thomas, T Filise, D Jones, P Tito, M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, X Rush. Replacements: G Powell, G Williams, S Morgan, A Powell, R Rees, S Nortin-Knight, D James.
Referee: P Allan (SRU).
Verdict: Munster
