Player-starved Munster look for boost in Glasgow encounter

THE selection of the Munster team is no longer a straight forward matter. With players in World Cup action and others injured, coach Alan Gaffney said this week his job was never so difficult, and one of his star young players, Denis Leamy, endorsed that view.

"It has been difficult for all concerned. For the last couple of months, it has been as much a getting-to-know-you process as much as anything.

"At the start of the season, we didn't even know some of our team-mates because there were so many newcomers to the squad."

Munster have suffered in the Celtic League and they will be desperate for a boost when they take on Glasgow at Musgrave Park this evening (7.30).

Leamy still believes victory is possible despite all the problems: "We have had a slow start but things are coming together.

"There is less than a quarter of the league campaign gone and there is plenty of time to make up lost ground."

At just 22, it may seem strange that coach Gaffney should place so much importance on Leamy's return from injury. But apart from the battle hardened Jim Williams and David Wallace, Leamy has way more European experience than the rest of the pack.

Gaffney was impressed to the point of giving Leamy game time during last year's Heineken Cup campaign and is convinced that he will become one of Munster's stalwarts.

For now, Leamy is happy to focus on personal improvement: "I have got stronger over the last year and I feel the benefit of full-time training. But I really want to keep my head down, work hard and hope to develop further."

After four weeks on the sidelines, Leamy is looking forward to his return: "The last few weeks have been frustrating, but equally frustrating for the lads.

"I hope we can get the show back on the road against Glasgow."

Llanelli, still stunned at their home Celtic Cup defeat to Connacht a few weeks ago, have a chance to atone when they visit Dubarry Park this evening.

This time the circumstances are different because there are league points at stake and Connacht coach Michael Bradley is determined to push his side through to the top four by the end of the season.

So far, the Leinster game last week apart, it has been generally good news for the province. Mike Walls, who missed the defeat against Leinster through injury, returns at scrum-half while Paul Neville make his comeback at blindside flanker.

Connacht are committed to spreading the provincial game from Galway and this is the first of three matches scheduled for Athlone. Munster and Cardiff will play there early next year.

Ulster coach Alan Solomons takes the opportunity to rotate the squad against Edinburgh this evening.

James Topping replaces Scott Young on the wing, Ryan Constable returns to the centre in place of Seamus Mallon while Bryan Young starts ahead of Ronan McCormack who has struggled with an ankle inury.

This weekend is very much about Irish-Scottish clashes and Leinster are in action away to the Borders.

They will be without influential captain Leo Cullen while Shane Jennings takes over as leader.

Coach Gary Ella is in a similar position to his former mentor, Munster coach Alan Gaffney, with a long list of injured players to add to his problems.

MUNSTER: D. Crotty, M. McPhail, M. Mullins, J. Holland, M. Lawlor, J. Staunton, E. Reddan, S. Kerr, A. Long, F. Roche, T. Hogan, S. Keogh, D. Leamy, J. Williams (captain), D. Wallace.

LEINSTER: G. D'Arcy, J. McWeeney, J. Downey, D. Quinlan, G. Brown, M. Leek, B. O'Meara. E. Byrne, G. Hickie, P. Coyle, A. Kearney, B. Gissing, N. Breslin, D. Dillon, S. Jennings (captain).

ULSTER: B. Cunningham, J. Topping, R. Constable, S. Stewart, T. Howe, A. Larkin, K. Campbell, B. Young, P. Shields, R. Moore, M. Mustchin, M. McCullough, A. Ward (captain), N. Best.

CONNACHT: M. McHugh; M. Mostyn, D. Yapp, T. Allnutt, C. McPhillips; E. Elwood, M. Walls; R. Hogan, B. Jackman, F. Boiroux; D. Browne, A. Farley; P. Neville, T. Carter, J. O¹Sullivan.