No show from latest signing Lima as Munster face league and cup clashes

THE Munster management are concerned over the whereabouts of Brian Lima after their recent big name signing for the concluding stages of the Celtic League and Heineken Cup failed to turn up this week.

When there was still no sign of the 33-year-old Samoan yesterday morning, coach Alan Gaffney had no option but to omit him from the squad to meet Newport Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League at Rodney Parade tonight. him from the squad to meet Newport Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League at Rodney Parade tonight.

A Munster spokesman insisted there was no doubt Lima would arrive in Ireland before the weekend and he would train next week in good time to be considered for the crunch Heineken Cup clash with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday week.

However, Lima will not have played any game with his new teammates beforehand and that presents Gaffney with a dilemma when it comes to naming his side for the Biarritz match.

For now, he has opted for a back division that shows only one change from that which lined out against Northampton in the Heineken Cup final in 2000.

Shaun Payne takes over at full-back for the retired Dominic Crotty. It's a vastly different situation up front, with David Wallace the only survivor from the unlucky 9-8 Twickenham defeat.

John Hayes and Anthony Foley are carrying a few bruises after their Six Nations activity and are given a well deserved rest while Paul O'Connell is ruled out by suspension. Frank Roche replaces Hayes, Trevor Hogan comes in for O'Connell and Jim Williams for Foley at number eight.

A defeat for Munster would hand the Celtic League to the Neath Swansea Ospreys. Gaffney is more interested in the type of performance his side puts up rather than the result, given that the title has already been more or less wrapped up by the Ospreys.

The Dragons have their own incentive to claim the points, and having won each of their last six matches at Rodney Parade and only lost once there in the competition, they will not be easily turned over. A win for the Dragons would also see them maintain their challenge for a home draw in the Celtic Cup.

The home crowd are certain to give Michael Owen, the Welsh Grand Slam winning captain, and full-back Kevin Morgan a huge welcome home, although coach Leigh Jones is unable to finalise his side until today because of injuries to five backs.

After his heroics in the Welsh jersey, Michael Owen is clearly thirsting for success now with the Dragons. He commented: "This is Wales v Ireland take two.

"It is great to be back chasing the minimum of a top four place. It will be difficult because Munster are as good away as they are at home and have a number of quality players."

GWENT-NEWPORT DRAGONS: Backs from P. Montgomery, G. Wyatt, K. Morgan, N. Brew, D. Griffiths, G. Chapman, H. Luscombe, S. Tuipulotu, J. Bryant, C. Sweeney. Forwards A. Black, S. Jones, R. Thomas, I. Gough, L. Charteris, J. Ringer, J. Forster capt, M. Owen.

MUNSTER: S. Payne; J. Kelly, M. Mullins, J. Holland, A. Horgan; R. O'Gara, P. Stringer; M. Horan, F. Sheahan, F. Roche, D. O'Callaghan, T. Hogan, A. Quinlan, D. Wallace, J. Williams. Replacements, J. Blaney, E. McGovern, T. Bowman, S. Keogh, F. Murphy, P. Burke, P. Devlin.