Munster win a must to keep Celtic League hopes alive

MUNSTER'S Celtic League title is on the line at Musgrave Park this evening (7.30pm). Alan Gaffney's troops have to win to keep their chances of ultimate victory alive as the league moves into the second stage.

Leinster counterpart Gary Ella will do his best to thwart the champions, conscious that his side are equally fighting for survival.

Munster lie fourth in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Ulster, and Leinster are in fifth, two points behind the holders.

Ella admitted yesterday: "This looks to be a make or break weekend for both teams. We have got to keep pace with the leaders if we want to be there or thereabouts at the end."

"Three of the four top teams look likely to win this weekend so the outcome of our match in Cork is crucial. I wouldn't like to give up at this stage but whoever loses in Cork will have a huge uphill struggle."

Despite the absence of some of the big names, there should still be enough of bite in this match, believes Ella.

"Well you could call it a local derby. It's Munster against Leinster and these games are always interesting."

Ella cast his mind back to the opening day of the tournament in Donnybrook when Munster secured a 15-8 win and recalled: "I think we were the better team on the night and had Munster on the back foot for a long time. But they hit back strongly towards the end of the game and took full advantage when we conceded a few silly penalties."

"I suppose you could say we would like to avenge that but it won't be easy. It's a hard one to call because both team selections have been disrupted. There are lots of guys away on international duty but there are injury problems as well."

"In our case we've got a couple of props out with broken legs, Leo Cullen also missing in the long term and now both Felipe Contepomi and Brian O'Meara ruled out as well."

"The injury problems have been the biggest disappointment for me this season. We knew we would have to play games without the services of the internationals but could have done without what seems to be an ongoing saga with injuries."

The latest blow for Munster and Gaffney came earlier this week when both Mike Mullins and David Wallace were ruled out, Mullins for up to six weeks with a broken jaw.

On a positive note, Jim Williams and John Kelly return after being rested against Borders last week, while Gaffney calls upon the experienced Eddie Halvey to replace Wallace.

MUNSTER: S. Payne, J. Kelly, J. Jones-Hughes, R. Henderson, M. Lawlor, J. Holland, E. Reddan, S. Kerr, J. Blaney, G. McIlwham, T. Hogan, D. Pusey, S. Keogh, J. Williams (captain), E. Halvey

LEINSTER: J. Norton, J. McWeeney, C. Warner, D. Quinlan, B. Burke, M. Leek, B. O'Riordan, E. Bohan, G. Hickie, P. Coyle, A. Kearney, B. Gissing, N. Breslin, D. Dillon, S. Jennings (captain).