Injured Hayes rested for Connacht clash
Hayes, who injured a calf muscle against Treviso, is rested for the Celtic League fixture against Connacht at Dubarry Park, Athlone, tomorrow evening.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney yesterday named a 23-strong squad for the Connacht clash, but it seems certain Scottish international Gordon
McIllwham will take the number three jersey for this important game when Munster bid to make up lost ground.
Hayes has been given a further week to work on his recovery and Gaffney will finalise his starting line up today when the squad assemble in Limerick for the first time this week . Ulster lead the Irish challenge for league honours and Munster are a bit off the pace, but Gaffney hasn’t yet given up on the title.
“After the World Cup, we have most of our boys back. The injuries are not as bad as they were earlier in the competition and this game is an opportunity to build our challenge and also help us prepare for the Gloucester game.”
This match is an opportunity for winger Anthony Horgan to send a positive message to Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan, who excluded him from the most recent Irish squad session on disciplinary grounds.
Horgan and Leinster second row Malcolm O’Kelly missed a training session on Ireland’s warm-weather training stint in the Canary Islands before Christmas and were left out of the Dublin training camp as punishment.
Horgan’s main problem in the competition and this game is an opportunity to build our challenge and also help us prepare for the Gloucester game.”
This match is an opportunity for winger Anthony Horgan to send a positive message to Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan, who excluded him from the most recent Irish squad session on disciplinary grounds.
Horgan and Leinster second row Malcolm O’Kelly missed a training session on Ireland’s warm-weather training stint in the Canary Islands before Christmas and were left out of the Dublin training camp as punishment.
Horgan’s main problem has been injury, but he is in the Munster frame, sure of his place against Connacht and push for national recognition. Gaffney’s dilemma is to finalise his midfield partnership. It rests between Rob Henderson, Jason Holland and Mike Mullins and any two of the three could be selected. There could also be a battle for full-back, where Shaun Payne is likely to press Jeremy Staunton. Meanwhile, injured England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is facing a fight to be fit for the Six Nations. The 24-year-old left the field early on his return from a fractured shoulder facet during Newcastle’s 23-19 Zurich Premiership victory over Northampton.
X-rays revealed that Wilkinson suffered no long-term damage, but coach Rob Andrew does not expect him back soon.
“Hopefully he will be back on the field within weeks,” Andrew said.
The match was Wilkinson’s first since kicking England to victory in the World Cup final England begin their Six Nations campaign against Italy on February 15 and coach Sir Clive Woodward will be hoping his prized asset makes a full recovery for the Grand Slam defence.
Woodward also faces a wait on the fitness of centre Mike Tindall, who ruptured ankle ligaments while playing against Saracens on Saturday. Initially it was thought the Bath powerhouse would miss the whole campaign. However, on BBC Radio Five Live, Tindall was optimistic he will recover in time to play some part in the Six Nations. “I’ve seen a couple of specialists now and everyone has agreed there are two options. There’s having an operation or going down the rehabilitation route. Everyone’s recommended not having the operation so then, hopefully, I’ll be back quicker and hopefully back for some part of the Six Nations.
“It’s going to take eight to 10 weeks but we’ll just get into it with physio and see how it reacts, see how quickly I can get myself back.
“Hopefully, if it’s eight weeks then there’s a good chance I can make myself available for a few games.”
Flanker Richard Hill is another on the injured list. He requires surgery on his broken nose, sustained when he captained England against the New Zealand Barbarians earlier this month, and could be out for four weeks.
Munster squad: S Payne, J Staunton, M Lawlor, J Kelly, A Horgan, M Mullins, J Holland, R Henderson, R O’Gara, E Reddan, P Stringer, M Horan, S. Kerr, G. McIllwham, F. Sheahan, J. Blaney, D. O’Callaghan, P. O’Connell, D. Pusey, S. Keogh, D. Wallace, J. Williams (captain), A. Foley.
Eddie Halvey will travel to Athlone with the squad as cover.
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