THE All Blacks have arrived on Irish soil for matches against Ireland and Munster.

IT’S HARD to call Brian Carney a surprise signing — Munster have literally been beating down the ex-Rugby League star for years.

Munster expect a bumper crowd for their first game at Musgrave Park in five months, when Cardiff come to town at 7.40pm Friday.

CONTENT in victory, despite a messy, error-strewn performance, Munster coach Declan Kidney was quick to remind everyone afterwards that it was the first time Munster had won all three away pool matches in the Heineken Cup. It was not an insignificant observation.

MUNSTER haven’t ruled out the possibility of Barry Murphy and David Wallace being involved in Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash against Cardiff Blues in the Arms Park.

Munster have called up Anthony Horgan, James Coughlan and Trevor Halstead for tonight's Magners League clash with Ospreys at Thomond Park.

LIFIEMI MAFI makes his first start for Munster in tomorrow’s Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets in Stradey Park (Setanta Sports, 5.35pm).

The exciting former Taranaki centre Lifiemi Mafi will make his full debut for Munster against Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on Sunday.

JOHN KELLY has been released to Munster as the Heineken Cup champions bid to right the wrongs of their recent Magners League programme against Llanelli in Stradey Park on Sunday.

Munster 41 Bourgoin 23

MUNSTER are unlikely to take their eye off the ball with the likes of Declan Kidney and Paul O’Connell at the helm.

Munster will go with 13 of the starters from the Heineken Cup final for their daunting trip to Leicester Tigers on Sunday.

CHRISTIAN CULLEN and Anthony Horgan are definitely ruled out of the early games in Munster’s Heineken Cup campaign, but medical bulletins indicate both should be back in a month.