Gaffney sure Connacht clash will help Munster focus
With the exception of Peter Stringer, John Hayes and Anthony Foley, all of whom are being rested after their hectic schedule over the past couple of months, the Munster squad is the strongest available to Gaffney who will almost certainly give all 22 a run before the end of the 80 minutes.
"Obviously it's not a game that we have to win but it's one in which we have to go out and play well," he said.
"If we get our structures and patterns right and get into that swing of things where we left it nigh on two months ago, that's what is significant. Of course we will be a little rusty to start with it but the game is very important because we have so little preparation otherwise before playing Leicester.
"The two months break hasn't been too bad this time. A lot of the lads have had a great time in their rugby careers and a lot of demands have been placed on them. But we're not whingeing about it, I don't suppose Leicester have played too much in that period either, I know they played Newcastle on March 16 and meet Sale this weekend. I'll be watching that match on television, somebody will go over and we'll have the video cut up for the boys by the time we meet on Monday."
Gaffney referred to the tough Six Nations campaign and the long season that has Hayes, Foley and Stringer "looking a little tired and after what they've been through, they deserved a few days and a weekend off". On the other hand, he expressed no worries about playing keyman Ronan O'Gara, refusing to wrap him in cotton wool and stressing: "He needs time on the track. Both Rog and Paul O'Connell need matches."
Marcus Horan will line out for half of tonight's game, while Denis Leamy will probably be at number eight with Jim Williams at six, the jersey he is certain to fill against Leicester. It's an important game for Jeremy Staunton and Rob Henderson, both returning after injuries and needing to prove their fitness before the side for Leicester is finalised.
MUNSTER from D. Crotty, J. Staunton, A. Horgan, J. Kelly, M. Mullins, R. Henderson, J. Holland, R. O'Gara, D. Malone, M. Prendergast; M. Horan, S. Kerr, M. Cahill, F. Sheahan, J. Blaney, P. O'Connell, D. O'Callaghan, M. O'Driscoll, A. Quinlan, J. Williams, D. Leamy, E. Halvey.
CONNACHT M. McHugh; T. Robinson, D. Yapp, S. Moore, M. McPhail; E. Elwood, E. Reddan; R. McCormack, J. Flannery, P. Bracken, D. Browne, R. Frost, M. Swift, J. Muldoon, C. Rigney. Replacements, D. McFarland, H. Bourke, A. Maher, J. O'Sullivan, C. Keane, W. Munn, G. Duffy.
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