Munster likely to be at full-strength for crunch tie

MUNSTER’S worst fears may not, after all, be realised and the chances are that they will be able to select the side to meet Gloucester at Thomond Park on Saturday from the 24 players available to them for last week’s Heineken Cup game in Perpignan.

Coach Alan Gaffney spent much of yesterday watching the horror movie that was the video of the Perpignan game and also hearing reports from physio Kirsty Peacock on the state of health of the many walking wounded.

Mick O'Driscoll was on crutches on Saturday night but his damaged toe may not rule him out of the Gloucester game. Likewise, Jeremy Staunton's knee was considerably better yesterday and Ronan O'Gara looked a good bet to have recovered from a bruised chest in time for the match that offers Munster the slimmest of hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for the fifth successive year.