Galwey ‘shocked’ as McHugh not on Six Nations list
Speaking in France last night as the Munster team arrived for their opening Heineken Cup clash with Burgoin, Galwey said that McHugh was widely regarded as one of the top referees in the World.
“I am extremely shocked to hear that Dave McHugh will not be involved in the Six Nations and while I am delighted for the Irish officials who have been selected - Alain Rolland, Alan Lewis and Donal Courtney - I am very surprised that a referee of McHugh’s calibre is not getting any games. “I think he is one of the top referees in the world and many people in Australia for the World Cup felt the same way.” In the meantime, and for the second year in succession, Munster’s preparations for a Heineken Cup match were disrupted by air traffic control difficulties due to fog.
The team’s flight from Cork, via Shannon, was delayed for more than four hours yesterday when the western airport was closed on and off for several hours in the morning.
The South/North Munster split in the camp and the facilitation of both sections of the group to allow them leave from the nearest respective airports has posed problems in the past.
Last year a flight originating in Shannon, heading for Parma in Italy, was unable to land in Cork because of fog, and after several hours delay the Cork contingent were ferried to Shannon resulting in a six hour delay.
However, the disruption was described as minimal last night by team manager Jerry Holland who remarked: “It was just one of those things. “It’s always unfortunate when flights are delayed and the players could obviously do without it. The reason we have a double hop between Cork and Shannon is not so much to suit people on the outward journey but more so on the return.
“Preparation for the next match begins immediately after the last. That means it’s important for players to get back home as quickly as possible to begin their recovery and start getting ready for the next challenge.”
Munster arrived at their team headquarters, a country hotel located between Lyon and Bourgoin shortly after 9pm. Of more concern to Munster will surely be the level of rainfall that has hit this particular area of France over the last few days.
“We’re told things are going to get better between now and Saturday and we can only hope that they do. It’s been pretty bad by all accounts down there.”
Munster will have a light training session at a specially chosen location close to their hotel this afternoon, away from prying French eyes.
But they will also visit Bourgoin’s home ground for a couple of hours. “That’s really just to have a look and a bit of a walkabout.
“It will also given Ronan O’Gara an opportunity to size up the ground and practice his goal kicking for an hour or so.”
There were no late injury scares although it was reported that centre Mike Mullins had a very slight hamstring strain.
He has taken it relatively easy in training over the last 48 hours but expressed confidence last night that he would be ready to take his place in a side that shows just one change from the team that comprehensively defeated Cardiff in the Celtic League at Musgrave Park on Friday last.
The omens for a Munster victory, based on travel delays, are good. Last year, Munster produced their only pool winning performance away from home when they thrashed Viadana 55-22.
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