International stars set to return for Munster
Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan, Rob Henderson, Mike Mullins, Donncha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Connell have all been named in the side, although Gaffney has opted to leave British and Irish Lion David Wallace on the bench, naming Denis Leamy at open-side flanker instead.
Having lost all three of their Celtic League games thus far this season, Munster will be anxious to get a win under their belt, even though the coach has confessed that he has not been disappointed with the manner in which his side have been playing.
However, with all his big-name stars available for this game, Gaffney will be very anxious there are no more slip-ups, particularly as this is one of only eight out of 22 Celtic League games his main internationals will be available to him.
Even so, his decision to select Leamy ahead of Wallace at open-side is bound to attract some comment, despite the fact that the Tipperaryman has been one of the acknowledged stars of the team to date this season.
His form has obviously impressed the coach and he will be watched keenly as he goes up against a Scarlets back row which includes Irish international Simon Easterby.
Christian Cullen is named at full-back ahead of a very strong backline which includes Henderson and Mullins in the centre, John Kelly (making his 101st appearance for Munster) and Anthony Horgan on the wings, plus Stringer and O’Gara.
For his part, Scarlets’ coach Nigel Davies has placed great confidence in the side that beat Edinburgh last weekend. He has named only one change to his starting line-up, with Gareth Bowen slotting into the number 10 jersey ahead of Arwel Thomas.
Munster yesterday completed the signing of winger Paul Devlin from rugby league outfit Widnes.
Devlin was in Limerick yesterday to finalise his move and present his clearance from the RFU, the last union to which he was registered, having played rugby union with Sale last season.
This clearance will prevent the sort of misery endured by Leinster last season when Felipe Contepomi was ruled ineligible for the Heineken Cup because his clearances had not been properly rubber-stamped. Devlin will be eligible to play for Munster in all competitions this season. He returned to Britain last night to tie up some personal matters and will train with his new team mates next week after travelling to Limerick for the Llanelli match on Sunday.
Leinster yesterday also confirmed a new signing. New Zealand out-half David Holwell has signed a one-year deal with the province, subject to a medical. Holwell, 29, signs ahead of this week’s Heineken Cup deadline and is the highest points scorer in Hurricane’s Super 12 history.
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