Rugby: Gaffney holds back

ALAN GAFFNEY has decided not to show his hand before Friday as he prepares for Munster’s Heineken European Cup clash with Italian side Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-of 5pm).

Instead, the Munster coach will today announce a squad of 24 from which the starting 15 and seven replacements will be finalised. He insists there is no special reason for delaying but there is considerable speculation about full-back and inside centre after last week’s game at Bourgoin.

Jeremy Staunton was replaced at full-back after 70 minutes, with Mossy Lawlor coming in on the wing and Shaun Payne moving to full-back. Rob Henderson returned after long term injury for Jason Holland and made an immediate impression.