News roundup:Paul O'Connell is expected to be named in today's Munster squad for the trip to Edinburgh on Friday night despite a statement to the contrary from the IRFU press office on Monday.
The release was the same statement released before the Italy match, noting O'Connell suffered a relapse in his recovery from the the back problem that has kept him sidelined since Ireland lost to Argentina in September.
Clarification arrived in a statement issued at 8.45am yesterday.
"Ireland and Munster secondrow Paul O'Connell has not had a relapse in his recovery from a back injury and continues to progress well . . . A problem with the IRFU internet exchange server late last night issued a previously emailed statement that was sent on January 12th relating to O'Connell's injury."
O'Connell played 60 minutes for Munster A in the 38-5 win over Ulster last Friday. He also came through a full Munster session yesterday.
Jerry Flannery has been ruled with an ongoing hand injury and centre Barry Murphy sustained shoulder damage against Ulster A that rules him out in the short term. Ian Dowling and John O'Sullivan return from injury.
The possible availability of Ireland squad members will be revealed today.
The IRFU management committee confirmed the Magners League game between Ulster and Munster, which was postponed on January 4th, at Ravenhill, will be played on either Friday, April 25th, at 7.30pm or Tuesday, April 29th, at 7pm. Should Munster reach the semi-final of the Heineken European Cup, on the weekend of the April 25th-27th, the Ulster match will be played the following Tuesday. Confirmation will be given on Monday, April 8th, after the European Cup quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Munster coach Declan Kidney was yesterday named Phillips Manager of the Month for January.
Matt Williams names his first Ulster squad today ahead of Friday's match against the Dragons at Ravenhill. The province confirmed yesterday the addition of Reggie Corrigan as scrum coach, on a one-day-a-week basis.
Capped 47 times for Ireland, Corrigan was Leinster captain during the Williams era. He will be familiar with the Ulster scrum, especially Justin Fitzpatrick, who was his direct competition for Ireland selection. "I am delighted to be involved with Ulster Rugby," he said. "I've worked with and played alongside a lot of the Ulster guys . . . I feel very excited about what can be achieved."
The province is suffering an exodus, Tommy Bowe, Neil Best, Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson and Justin Harrison leaving at the end of the season. David Humphreys is retiring, while contract negotiations continue with Paddy Wallace, Matt McCullough, Kieron Dawson, Fitzpatrick, Kieran Campbell and Tom Court
EDINBURGH(v Munster): H Southwell; A Turnbull, B Cairns, J Houston, R Reid; P Godman, B Meyer; A Allori, A Kelly, G Kerr; M Mustchin, C Hamilton; A MacDonald, R Rennie, A Hogg (capt). Reps: C Smith, S Lawrie, F Pringle, S Cross, G Laidlaw, N De Luca, C MacRae.
