RUGBY MAGNERS LEAGUE:THE SEASON remains in its fledgling days yet, but Munster are sitting pretty atop the table with two wins from two, and Thomond Park's first competitive game of the season on Saturday should see the campaign crank up another notch. The visit of the multi-talented Ospreys, the reigning champions, means the league winners of the last two years come face-to-face in Limerick.
The Ospreys completed their first double over Munster since the 2002/03 season en route to securing a home semi-final last season, while Munster are seeking to emulate their achievement of two seasons ago by winning their opening three matches en route to winning the title.
Although Munster have named an unchanged 29-man squad, coach Tony McGahan is likely to shuffle his resources a little. Having made their re-appearances in Murrayfield last Friday night and with roughly half-an-hour each under their belts, some or all of Ronan O’Gara, Tomás O’Leary and Donncha O’Callaghan are in line to make their first starts next Saturday night. Likewise after a couple of outings off the bench, so most probably are Marcus Horan and John Hayes.
“Whether we start them all remains to be seen,” said McGahan yesterday. “The thing at this stage as they come back in different forms is to try to integrate them back in while at the same time try not to make too many changes and have some continuity in selection.
“Some guys, like Marcus and John, who have played off the bench for the last two weeks, are looking to come back in. Some guys will come back in, some won’t; we’ll just have to wait.”
Others face a lengthier road to recovery after injury, although Lifeimi Mafi will feature for the Munster As against the Ulster Ravens in Nenagh on Friday afternoon after a close-season shoulder operation.
Keith Earls saw a specialist again yesterday and Munster are “hopeful that he’ll be back in three weeks”, according to McGahan.
“Jerry Flannery has been up again to the doctor today and he will see another doctor on Friday, when we hope we get a clearer picture of him. Hopefully it’s only short-term but he’s still indefinite at this stage.”
The Irish hooker has been troubled by hamstring, calf and Achilles’ problems. “A lot of those stem from the back, so we’re just checking everything out at this point in time.”
The Munster coach admits that to have achieved two wins in the circumstances has been satisfactory. “I think it’s really important to get off to a good start and to create both momentum in your team for both attack and defence, while at the same time gather wins and not lose touch, especially at the start of the season when we’re playing sides who we didn’t have a great record against last year.”
With last season’s double defeat to the Ospreys in mind, he admitted: “It should be a great night. Their squad is without doubt one of the most well put together squads in Europe. They’re the team to beat at this stage in the Magners League, they had a good win over us the last time at our place so we’re really looking forward to the clash on Saturday.”
Similarly, the Ospreys are likely to be strengthened by the return of some of their heavyweights for their trip to Limerick. Captain Alun Wyn Jones, who has yet to lead the side, and Adam Jones are available after completing their delayed pre-seasons. Ryan Jones is also fit again after picking up a knee injury, but it may be too soon for Mike Phillips.
“It’s likely we’ll see Alun Wyn back in some shape,” said coach Sean Holley. “Adam has been training really hard and has been in good nick. Ryan is available for selection again and we’ve got to take a decision on him and Mike Phillips as to where they are with their respective knocks, but we’re slowly getting back up to speed.”
The Thomond Park faithful are also likely to have the opportunity to serenade Tommy Bowe, as the award-winning Irish and Lions winger is set to make his first start.
MUNSTER SQUAD(v Ospreys): Denis Hurley, F Jones, S Deasy, I Dowling, D Howlett, D Barnes, J Murphy, S Tuitupou, R O'Gara, P Warwick, D Williams, P Stringer, T O'Leary. W du Preez, M Horan, D Varley, D Fogarty, J Hayes, T Buckley, D O'Callaghan, B Holland, D Ryan, M O'Driscoll, I Nagle, A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony.
