Gaffney refuses to panic despite Munster’s injury worries
But Munster coach Alan Gaffney has yet to hit the panic button after a series of injuries to top class players like David Wallace, Paul O’Connell, Anthony Horgan, John O’Neill, Sheahan and the unfortunate unavailability of captain Jim Williams.
Instead, Gaffney believes Munster must make the best of difficult circumstances and is confident stand-in captain Anthony Foley will rouse the troops to the level required to give him the right result.
Gaffney isn’t fooling himself: “We are playing away from home against a quality team and it is a very big task for the players.
“But this Celtic League, as much as the Heineken Cup, is all about a squad system. You will lose players and, equally, you will get them back. We cannot sit back and worry about injuries. Rather, we have to go forward and give an opportunity to other players to press their case.”
In that sense, Gaffney pointed to the inclusion of Mossie Lawlor on the wing in place of the injured John O’Neill. “Mossie isn’t in the same physical league as Johnno but he is a class act.
“He has captained the Irish under 21’s and played a bit for us this season as well.
“He knows what to expect and what is demanded of him. I am confident that he will make a very positive contribution.”
Sheahan withdrew from the team late yesterday with a shoulder injury but Gaffney is confident he will be back in action within a week or so. “It was precautionary more than anything else. With the way our injuries have gone so far, there was no point in taking a risk.”
Llanelli will be without club captain Leigh Davies and USA internationals Luke Gross and Dave Hodges, both of whom are on duty for their country in a World Cup qualifier this weekend.
Although Vernon Cooper will assume the captaincy, Scott Quinnell was the main man in the talking stakes yesterday.
“I have had a petty miserable time recently at the hands of the Irish in the last year. Wales were stuffed by Ireland and Munster knocked us out of this particular competition.
“We couldn’t ask for a tougher start to any campaign but it is a major challenge. We will know a little bit more about how good or bad we are after this.”
MUNSTER: D. Crotty, J. Kelly, R. Henderson, M. Mullins, M. Lawlor, R. O’Gara, P. Stringer, M. Horan, J. Blaney, J. Hayes, D. O’Callaghan, M. O’Driscoll, E. Halvey, A. Foley, A. Quinlan.
LLANELLI: G. Evans, M. Jones, M. Watkins, M. Carey, F. Finau, S. Jones, G. Easterby, I. Thomas, R. McBryde, M. Madden, J. Cooper, P. Clapham, S. Easterby, I. Boobyer, S. Quinnell.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
