Gaffney has no major injury worries

NEW MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has no major injury worries other than long term injuries ahead of his side’s Celtic League opener against Llanelli on Saturday.

Llanelli were knocked out of the Celtic League by Munster at the semi- final stage last season and although their fans wanted a rematch in the European Cup final, their team were beaten by eventual winners, Leicester.

But last season’s dramas will be forgotten on Saturday night when Munster take their first step in competitive rugby under Gaffney at Stradey Park.

The former Leinster assistant coach, who helped guide Leinster to the inaugural Celtic League title, is hoping the result is similar to his last trip to the venue.

“I went there last year with Leinster great ground, great team,” he said. “And as we won 19-17 in the final minutes, I wouldn’t mind the same result this week.”

Gaffney took charge of Munster two months ago and has had more than a fair share of injury problems since then, but he is not allowing himself get unduly worried about the situation.

“I don’t think it matters,” he said. “And why not go straight to the top with a trip to Stradey? They’ve got some great players everyone knows that, and they should have been in the Heineken Cup final against us except for that Tim Stimpson penalty goal kick in the semi-finals.”

As well as their new coach, Munster boast a new captain in the form of rugged Australian back row forward Jim Williams. “The players voted on the captaincy democratically. I think it’s a great reward for Jim, and he’ll have plenty of help out there. Mick Galwey’s there, and Munster have a lot of senior players. One of them might go through a bit of a bad patch during a game, but the others will step up to the plate and we are looking forward to the season as a squad.”

Rob Henderson makes a return after injury and is named in the team alongside Mike Mullins. That means Jason Holland has to be happy with a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Ulster are expected to make a winning start in the same group when they take on Ebbw Vale. The return of Jonathon Bell after injury is a big boost and, of course, current internationals Gary Longwell and David Humphreys are also in the side. Another top player back in action is Jeremy Davidson.

In Leinster, Andy Dunne has been given the number ten shirt for their Celtic League opener against Pontypridd tomorrow (Friday) evening.

The injured Nathan Spooner is not expected back until early November, so, this gives an opportunity to the Clontarf playmaker, to make the out half slot his own for some time.

Leinster coach Matt Williams said: “All the boys coming back from National camp are obviously straight in to help facilitate them for the Romania game. Without Shane Horgan being available, the only decisions were who we brought in at ten and twelve.

“They are Andy (Dunne), making a comeback after injury, and Christian Warner, who will get his first cap. Christian had played at twelve a lot for me a few years ago. He is very talented and he is a very good ten as well.”

“We are happy with that option. He has got a great passing game and that will help take the pressure off Andy.

The pack has a very familiar look to it. It is an experienced unit backboned by the likes of Reggie Corrigan, the captain again this season, Paul Wallace, Malcolm O’Kelly, and the solid back row of Eric Miller, Keith Gleeson and Victor Costello.

LEINSTER (v Pontypridd): G. Dempsey; D. Hickie, B. O’Driscoll, C. Warner, G. D’Arcy; A. Dunne, B. O’Meara; R. Corrigan, S. Byrne, P. Wallace, L. Cullen, M. O’Kelly, E. Miller, K. Gleeson, V. Costello. Replacements: N. Treston, P. Smyth, D. Dillon, A. McCullen, B. Willis, D. Quinlan, P. McKenna.

PONTYPRIDD: B. Davey; G. Wyatt, M. Nuthall, J. Lewis, J. Bryant; C. Sweeney, G. Baber; G. Jenkins, M. Davies, D. Bell, R. Sidoli, M. Owen, D. McIntosh, R. Parks, G. Lewis. Replacements: M. Rees, N. Hennessey, B. Cockbain, W. O’Connor, P. John, S. James, R. Johnston.

MUNSTER (v Llanelli, Stradey Park, Saturday): D. Crotty, J. Kelly, M. Mullins, R. Henderson, J. O’Neill, R. O’Gara, P. Stringer, M. Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, D. O’Callaghan, M. O’Driscoll, J. Williams, A. Foley, A. Quinlan. Replacements. J. Blaney, S. Kerr, E. Halvey, M. Galwey, D. Malone, J. Staunton, J. Holland.

ULSTER (v Ebbw Vale, Ebbw Vale, tomorrow): P. Wallace, S. Coulter, R. Constable, J. Bell, T. Howe, D. Humphreys, N. Doak, R. Kempson, M. Sexton, S. Best, G. Longwell, J. Davidson, A. Ward (captain), T. McWhirter, W. Brosnihan. Replacements. J. Fitzpatrick, P. Shields, M. Blair, N. McMillan, K. Campbell, A. Larkin, B. Cunningham.