Cullen doubtful but Sheahan just rarin’ to go

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney will be keeping his fingers crossed today as he awaits news on injured new signing Christian Cullen.

Former All Black Cullen faces a second examination to assess damage done to his shoulder in the recent New Zealand NPC final.

Cullen could not have picked up the injury at a worse time from Munster’s point of view and the initial prognosis is that he could be out of action for up to eight weeks.

The player, unveiled to the public in a blaze of publicity a week ago, seeks a second opinion and Gaffney said yesterday: “We should have an update on the situation by the evening.

“Christian trained with us today but obviously avoided full physical contact. It’s doesn’t appear to be a serious injury but we must ensure that he gets the best possible advice.”

Last week it was revealed that he could be out for a couple of months, missing up to three Heineken Cup games as Munster go in search of European glory.

“It remains to be seen how long this will take, but we are hopeful that it’s not that bad,” said Gaffney.

The coach revealed English-based hooker Andy Long will depart from Cork today.

“He came into our squad in the absence of Frankie Sheahan.

“Now Frankie is back with us, Andy will be heading back to England. He has just secured a contract with Rotherham and we wish him all the best.”

Meanwhile, Gordon McIllwham, the Scottish prop signed a couple of months ago, arrived in Ireland over the last 48 hours and trained with the Munster squad in Cork yesterday. McIllwham was with the Scottish World Cup squad in Australia for the last six weeks.

The good news for Gaffney is that Frank Sheahan is raring to go as he bids to resurrect his provincial and international career.

Sheahan received a further boost at the weekend when French anti-doping agency Conseil de Prevention et de Lutte centre le Dopage (CPLD) cleared him to play in France.

Sheahan, the centre of a controversial doping storm earlier this year, was originally banned for two years after testing positive for the salbutamol, a substance in asthma drug Ventolin.

ERC finally overturned the ban on appeal and Sheahan, having been out of the game for three months, joined Ireland’s World Cup squad.

The CPLD have a unique set of rules, however, and there was some doubt that Sheahan would be allowed play on French soil until getting clearance from them, irrespective of the second ruling by ERC.

Munster are due to play Bourgoin in the opening pool game of the Heineken Cup in Bourgoin on December 6 but the French body has acknowledged ERC’s decision.

The decision was forwarded to Munster in the last couple of weeks but only made public this weekend.

“I am delighted that this whole controversy, in every sense, is finally behind me.

“It now means I can get on with my life in rugby,” said Sheahan.

Sheahan was one of five Irish players not to get a game in the World Cup but enjoyed the experience all the same.

“I am really enthusiastic about getting back into the Munster scene after the time in Australia. I’m feeling fresh and looking forward to getting a game under my belt in the Celtic League before pushing for a place in the Munster team to play in France early next month.”