Munster retain Staunton at full-back for Swansea game

JEREMY STAUNTON has been given another opportunity to climb the ladder of Irish full-backs by his selection on the Munster team to meet Swansea at Musgrave Park tomorrow evening (7.30).

Staunton was the star of Munster’s victory over Edinburgh last weekend and made a clear impression on Alan Gaffney, but the coach is making no promises to the Garryowen player at this early stage.

Gaffney has clear views of what he wants from Staunton and has set the player targets which, so far, he has achieved.

However, lurking largely in the background is Dominic Crotty whom Gaffney described yesterday as “a fantastic player”: “There is nothing signed sealed and delivered in terms of most positions in this side, but I think I owed it to everyone in the squad to experiment. To be fair to Dominic, he hasn’t caused a problem and, in fact, he did a couple of very special things for us when he came onto the wing against Edinburgh last week.

“He hit Brendan Laney and caused him to turn over possession. Two phases later, we scored. To have knocked down such a strong player with such effect was very important to us at the particular stage of the game. He put his body on the line and I admire that in a player.”

Gaffney has been forced into making several changes for the game against the Welsh side because, of course, so many of the squad are on international duty with Ireland in Siberia.

However, Gaffney is not prone to panic and believes this is an opportunity to give a number of players the challenge of participating in Munster’s Celtic League campaign. Yet again, Mossie Lawlor who, on the basis of form, would appear to have made a serious case for regular inclusion in the side, will be amongst them.

Gaffney has gone for the more usual centre pairing of Mike Mullins and Jason Holland, recognising that Holland hasn’t the same attributes in the kicking game that Ronan O’Gara (on Irish duty) and Killian Keane enjoy.

Crotty might have felt upset at being excluded for Staunton, but he is compensated with a place on the wing, and Gaffney re-iterated how pleased he was with him when he came on as a substitute for John O’Neill in Edinburgh. The selection on the right flank might give Crotty another option when the selection process hots up in the coming weeks.

Simon Kerr is named in his favourite loose head prop position as Rob Laffan replaces John Hayes on the other side of the scrum.

The elevation of Donnacha O’Callaghan to the Irish squad could have posed a problem were it not for the availability of evergreen Mick Galwey who will now partner Mick O’Driscoll.

Eddie Halvey comes into the side to form a back row partnership with Denis Leamy and captain Jim Williams. Both flankers offer Munster considerable options at the back, especially Halvey out of touch.

Meanwhile, Ireland headed off on the long journey to Siberia in the early hours of this morning. The squad had a wake-up call shortly after 4am before travelling to Dublin Airport for a charter flight to Siberia, via Moscow, a journey that was expected to take at least 15 hours including the refuelling stop.

After a week when injuries were a worry, all of the party were cleared to make the long journey into the unknown.

MUNSTER: J. Staunton, M. Lawlor, M. Mullins, J. Holland, D. Crotty, K. Keane, M. Prendergast, S. Kerr, F. Sheahan, R. Laffan, M. Galwey, M. O’Driscoll, E. Halvey, J. Williams, D. Leamy.

Replacements. W. O’Kelly, J. Blaney, T. Hogan, C. McMahon, D. Malone, C. Mahony, J. O’Neill.