Gaffney rues agonies of squad selection

PLEASING and fulfilling as it undoubtedly is to be coach of a squad as magnificent as Munster’s, there are aspects of Alan Gaffney’s job which he could do without — such as having to tell players they aren’t required for a match as big as Saturday’s Heineken European Cup semi-final against Toulouse at the Stadium de Toulouse.

Yesterday, Gaffney announced the panel of 24 from which the side will be finally announced shortly after noon tomorrow, with the virtual certainty there won't be any change from that which so impressively accounted for cup holders Leicester in the quarter-finals.

"We again had to leave Mossie Lawler out of the 24 which is disappointing because he has played all bar one or two games for us this season," said Gaffney.