Intriguing opener as pupil meets the master

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney could not have asked for a more difficult start to the competitive season at Donnybrook this evening.

The Celtic League opens with a game between the champions of the first two campaigns and sees Gaffney takes on his old student, Gary Ella in a battle of coaching wits.

However, Gaffney and Ella are looking forward to the confrontation. Gaffney taught Ella the ropes as a young player in Sydney club Randwick and Ella has never forgotten the advice and expertise he picked up.

Earlier this week Ella described Gaffney as a great coach. Yesterday, Gaffney returned the compliment. He pointed out: “I really believe that Gary could have been the best of the Ella brothers but his career was hampered when he sustained a bad knee injury at the age of 19.

“He went on to play for Australia anyway but not as often as he should. As a coach he has served his apprenticeship well and he will bring something really special to Leinster rugby.”

Gaffney is looking forward to the tussle: . “We couldn’t have a better game to start out with.”

He is looking forward to the season but contends that Munster and Leinster may both have their work cut out to dominate this new extended Celtic League.

“I am confident we can do well but the representation that Munster and Leinster are likely to have on the World Cup squad means we won’t have front-line players available for a number of games.

“That’s good and bad. The problem could be if we sustain injuries like we did last season when the Celtic League was in an abbreviated form.

“However, we have to remain positive about the tournament because it will give us the opportunity to give more members of our squad lots of time on the pitch.

“It offers players from all provinces an opportunity to develop and learn, to push for places on a regular basis when the big matches come around and that has to be a good thing.”

Munster have cut the initial squad of 27 to 25 players for this game and await fitness tests on Eoin Reddan, Jason Holland and Mike Mullins today. When the injury situation becomes clearer - and Gaffney is confident that all three will be available for selection - he will finalise his team and reserves.

One thing is sure Frankie Sheahan will be welcomed back into the fold and given an opportunity to stake his World Cup squad place.

“Frankie will play and most likely play from the start. He is raring to go, we are anxious to give him that opportunity and Ireland want to see him in action.”

Other games this evening are between Glasgow Rugby and Cardiff Blues, The Scottish Borders and the Celtic Warriors (Bridgend/Pontypridd) as well as the Neath/Swansea Ospreys and Ulster.

Tomorrow, Connacht take on Edinburgh at the Sportsground while Llanelli Scarlets play Gwent Dragons (Newport/Ebbw Vale).

LEINSTER: C. Warner, G. D’Arcy, K. Lewis, D. Quinlan, B. Burke, M. Leek, B. O’Meara, J. Lyne, G. Hickie, E. Byrne, L. Cullen, B. Gissing, A. McCullen, D. Dillon, K. Gleeson (captain).

MUNSTER (from): J. Staunton, M. McPhail, C. McMahon, M. Lawlor, S. Payne, M. Mullins, J. Hughes-Jones, R. Lane, J. Holland, K. Keane, D. Urlich, F. Murphy, E. Reddan, J. Blaney, F. Sheahan, S. Kerr, M. Cahill, J. Danaher, F. Roche, D. O’Callaghan, E. Halvey, T. Hogan, A. Quinlan, D. Leamy, J. Williams (captain), A. Foley.

Celtic League Fixtures

Today: Leinster v Munster, Donnybrook 7.35 (TG4), Scottish Borders v Celtic Warriers,Netherdale 7.30, Glasgow v Cardiff Blues, Hughenden, 7.30, Neath/Swansea Ospreys v Ulster, The Gnoll 7.05 (BBC Wales).

Tomorrow: Connacht v Edinburgh, Sportsground, 4.p.m., Llanelli Scarlets v Gwent Dragons, 17.30 (S4C).