New Munster blow as Cullen injury jinx continues

MUNSTER have suffered a major blow to their Heineken Cup hopes with the news that jinxed former All Black Christian Cullen may be out of action until at least February.

Indeed, the former New Zealand star, who continues to be frustrated by a shoulder ligament injury, may have played his last game for the province on the basis that his three-year contract is up at the end of the season.

His unavailability for the Celtic League and the qualification games in the Heineken Cup will be of major concern to Munster, who have already scoured - without success - other countries to find another top quality back to beef up their squad.

Since his arrival in Ireland two years ago, Cullen has played a limited part in Munster’s schedule, although he starred in the Celtic League last year before sustaining this latest shoulder blow.

The full-back will have further scans and meet with medical experts to decide his next move. It is believed that medical reports have been sent to sports injury experts abroad and that Cullen is determined to take any action to speed up his recovery.

The news has come at a particularly bad time for Munster coach Declan Kidney, who was unavailable for comment last night. Kidney, back in charge after a three-year gap, has named a 24 man squad for the opening match of the season - a friendly against Northampton at Thomond Park on Friday (6.30).

The bulk of the senior members are unavailable. The Ireland players involved in the Lions tour to New Zealand are in training in Poland but Munster captain Anthony Foley is likely to play a part in the game.

Kidney is anxious to give game time to a number of the younger players in the squad and Brian Madigan, Ian Dowling, Ben Martin and Frank Cogan have been included.

It could well be an opportunity for Martin, an Australian who played for UL Bohemian last season. He lined out at out-half for the most part but, with full-back cover talent thin on the ground, Kidney might be tempted to name him at number 15 for Friday’s game.

Before news of Cullen’s latest problems emerged, Kidney spoke enthusiastically about the youthful make-up of his squad. While Mick O’Driscoll returns from Perpignan to add a lot of experience, and whilst he can call on Foley, Paul Burke, Rob Henderson, Mike Mullins, Stephen Keogh, and now injury-free Mossie Lawlor, there are a number of youngsters Kidney wants to see in action against Northampton.

“I don’t quite know yet what type of team Northampton will put out, but I’m sure they will provide testing opposition. The Saints have played already against Treviso and will use this match as a testing ground before the start of the competitive season.

“It’s a good game for us, particularly for some of the young guys in the squad. It will give them a feel for what might be required later in the season,” said Kidney.

New squad members, Argentinean born prop Federico Puccariello, who was included in the Italy squad last week, and Trevor Halstead, the South African international centre, were not considered.

However, Kidney may have them available for the game against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday week.

The Munster coach will finalise the line-up for the Northampton game today.

FORWARDS: F. Roche, J. Flannery, T. Buckley, D. Fogarty, E. McGovern, D. Ryan, B. Madigan, M. O’Driscoll, J. O’Sullivan, J. O’Connor, S. Keogh, A. Foley, F. Cogan.

BACKS: M. Prendergast, F. Murphy, P. Burke, J. Manning, M. Lawlor, I. Dowling, R. Henderson, M. Mullins, P. Devlin, B. Murphy, B. Martin.