Munster reject Osprey claims of Horan racist slur
The Munster Branch are to launch a stout defence of Horan, who is accused of using racist language towards Samoa centre Elvis Seveali’i in the Heineken Cup Pool Four encounter.
The Welsh side also claim Horan punched Seveali’i after the Ospreys player was penalised for a head-high tackle on colleague John Kelly, and that he lashed out with his boot on Richard Mustoe.
The latter player was cited by Munster for a stamping incident, which resulted in Horan receiving a number of stitches to a head wound.
Last night Munster issued the following statement: “Munster accept Neath/Swansea Ospreys are entitled to ask the Citing Officer to look at any incident that might have taken place in the course of any match under the jurisdiction of ERC Ltd.
“But Munster totally refute the very serious allegation of racial abuse made by Neath/Swansea Ospreys and further believe that Marcus Horan has no case to answer in relation to any of the charges levelled against him.
“We are also disappointed that Neath/Swansea Ospreys chose to lodge their complaint only after
Munster had informed them (Neath/Swansea Ospreys) that they intended asking the Citing Officer to look at the incident involving Richard Mustoe, which resulted in Marcus
Horan requiring seven stitches in a forehead wound.”
The double citing is expected to be adjudicated upon early next week.
Meanwhile, Donncha O’Callaghan is just one of four survivors from Sunday’s Heineken Cup victory over Ospreys for Munster’s trip to play Ulster in the Celtic League at Ravenhill on Saturday.
O’Callaghan was yesterday named in the Irish squad of 22 to prepare for the autumn international against South Africa but was given permission to play for Munster this weekend on the basis that his match time has been very limited this season.
He is joined by Munster’s Gnoll heroes Christian Cullen, Shaun Payne and David Wallace. Payne has been switched from centre to wing to accommodate James Storey in the centre, while Wallace is named at number eight in a strong back row that includes Alan Quinlan, a substitute on Sunday, and Denis Leamy.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney said: “A number of squad members are not available to us because of their involvement with the national squad, but we are fortunate we have quality players we need to utilise.
“They can use this time to push for places in our Heineken Cup squad, while others like Anthony Horgan, Jim Williams and Rob Henderson are being given a well earned rest.”
ULSTER: B. Cunningham, T. Bowe, J. Bell, P. Steinmetz, T. Howe, A. Larkin, N. Doak, S. Best, P. Shields, R. Moore, R. Frost, M. McCullough, A. Ward (capt), C. Feather, N. Best.
Replacements: R. Best, R. McCormack, G. Longwell, G. Brown, K. Campbell, S. Mallon, A. Maxwell.
MUNSTER: C. Cullen; S. Payne; J. Storey, J. Holland, M. Lawlor; P. Burke, M. Prendergast; F. Roche, J. Flannery, G. McIlwham; D. O’Callaghan, T. Hogan; A. Quinlan, D. Leamy, D. Wallace.
Replacements: J. Blaney, E. McGovern, T. Bowman, S. Keogh, E. Reddan, M. Mullins, J. Kelly.
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