Munster face mini-crisis at out-half

ALTHOUGH Munster are likely to retain the side that started against Castres Olympique last Friday for Saturday’s vital Heineken Cup game against Sale Sharks, there is a mini-crisis at out-half.

Ronan O’Gara is fit and back to his best form as he demonstrated with a superb display against Castres. But the grim news is that his very able understudy, Jeremy Manning, broke his arm playing for UCC against Greystones on Saturday and may be out for up to two months. To make matters worse, Paul Burke, the other out-half in the panel, is likely to be ruled out for five weeks because of a knee problem.

Heineken Cup rules state that no team can go outside their nominated squad until they have reached the knock-out stages and there is no other recognised number ten in the panel. The versatile Mossie Lawler could be the likeliest option and he may well be on the bench for Saturday.

On the plus side, John Kelly (groin strain), Trevor Halstead (shoulder) and Jerry Flannery (back), all of whom had to leave the field in Castres, are expected to train in Limerick today and again in Cork on Thursday.

The AIB League Division One fixture between Cork Constitution and Garryowen scheduled for Saturday has been switched to Sunday to avoid clashing with the Munster v Sale Heineken Cup match at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.