Munster ready for Shark attack

AS big as it gets. That’s the way Munster coach Declan Kidney is approaching tomorrow evening’s opening Heineken Cup clash of the season with high-flying Sale, the current leaders of England’s Guinness Premiership and a team blessed with a whole raft of international players including as many as six Lions.

Munster yesterday released a panel of 28 from which the final 22 will be announced on arrival in Manchester early this afternoon and it includes Peter Stringer, who has battled his way back to fitness after a knee injury that initially looked likely to sideline him for at least another two weeks.

Provided there were no repercussions after yesterday’s final training session in heavy rain and on a heavy Musgrave Park pitch, Stringer will start tomorrow’s game with Tomas O’Leary, his highly impressive replacement in the big win over Leinster, reverting to the bench. Anthony Horgan, who was out of action for the past month, also took a full part yesterday and provided he came through without any further damage to his calf, is likely to line out on the left wing to the exclusion of the recently arrived South African Anthon Pitout.