Internationals cut options for Munster squad

DECLAN Kidney has named a 27-strong squad from which the side will be selected for the Celtic League game against the Cardiff Blues at The Arms Park tomorrow (7.30pm).

Kidney is not expected to finalise his starting lineup until after the captain’s run tomorrow.

With the autumn internationals just around the corner, eight of those involved in Munster’s win over Castres Olympique last weekend are unavailable for selection. There is a return to the squad for John O’Sullivan, missing through injury since being forced to withdraw from the side with a strained calf muscle just before the Ospreys game on September 10.

Mossie Lawlor and Tony Buckley are also included.

Lawlor, easing his way back from shoulder surgery via the AIL, has not been involved in a Munster squad since the preseason friendlies, while Buckley came on as a replacement for Federico Pucciariello against Glasgow Warriors.

Paul Burke returns having missed both Heineken Cup games, while Eugene McGovern and Shane O’Connor are in for the first time this season.

In the absence of Anthony Foley, Stephen Keogh is likely to be given the captain’s arm-band when the side is finalised.

Meanwhile David Young, Cardiff Blues Director of Coaching, has included new Blues signing Roger Warren in his team to face Munster.

Mike Phillips, Rhys Thomas, Nick Robinson, Chris Czekaj, Martyn Williams, Robert Sidoli, Robin Sowden-Taylor and John Yapp were selected for the Wales squad for the Autumn Tests against New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and Australia and are unavailable for selection.

MUNSTER (squad): S Payne, J Kelly, I Dowling, M Lawlor, G Connolly, T Halstead, A Pitout, B Murphy, J Manning, P Burke, F Murphy, M Prendergast, T O’Leary, F Roche, T Buckley, E McGovern, F Pucciariello, J Flannery, D Fogarty, T Hogan, M O’Driscoll, S O’Connor, J O’Connor, J O’Sullivan, S Keogh, F Cogan, D Wallace.

CARDIFF BLUES: R Warren, R Williams, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, C Morgan, L Thomas, R Powell, M Jones, G Williams, B Evans, D Jones, J Goode, K Schubert, M Molitika, A Powell.

Replacements: N Llewelyn, D Goodfield, C Quinnell, M Lewis, W Evans, T Davies, D Dewdney.