Leamy central to Munster hopes

DENIS LEAMY has been named in the centre alongside South African international Trevor Halstead for tonight's Celtic League clash with champions, the Ospreys (Musgrave Park, 6.pm).

Just a week after coach Declan Kidney experimented with another flanker, David Wallace, on the wing in the opening game against Reiver Borders, he has decided to try Leamy in at centre.

Last week Wallace was a limited success but today he resumes in the back row alongside Alan Quinlan and captain Anthony Foley.

Ironically, Leamy was named Man of the Match against the Borders, but now has a chance to make his mark elsewhere on the pitch at a time when Munster are not short of quality back row players.

If nothing else, it will be an interesting experiment, particularly if Leamy, a noted goal kicker in his schooldays, gets an opportunity to add a further string to his bow.

Meanwhile, Anthony Horgan will relish the prospect of trying to rock the Ospreys.

Horgan is back for his first game of the season after helping Ireland defeat Japan 2-0 in the summer series, and believes Munster have a golden opportunity to strengthen their challenge, after winning the opening game against Reiver Borders a week ago.

Horgan is under no illusions, however, that this will be a tough fixture. He played in an early-season fixture in Wales last year and accepted that Munster were found wanting.

"I think the pitch is more level for this match. We were without a number of our first choice players when we travelled to play them in the league last year. We got a bit of a roasting, but the other games between us were much more competitive," he said.

Suffering from a slight Achilles tendon strain, Horgan's fitness was in doubt until yesterday.

"I'm ready to go, and I'm looking forward to it," he added.

Munster didn't look particularly good in the 9-7 win over Borders at Thomond Park last weekend, and Horgan accepts that there will have to be a huge improvement.

"I think we all know that, and it was reflected in training during the week," he said.

But Horgan stressed it is early days yet. "We're at the start of the season and there are bound to be some teething problems. We beat the Borders and that's what counts; it wasn't a great win but it was a win. Ospreys had their own share of problems against Leinster and, I suppose, every team is just feeling their way at this stage.

"There is a long way to go in this league, and those that have won the opening match will be just relieved they managed to do so.

"Whatever, it's a better start than Munster had last season."

Although without their Lions representatives, the Ospreys can still call on a wealth of experience; players such as former South African international Stefan Terblanche and, of course, Richard Mustoe, Sonny Parker, Barry Williams and Brent Cockbain.

Cockbain was a late addition to the Lions tour, and because of that has been cleared to play by the Welsh national squad.

Ospreys coach Lyn Jones has described this game as "one of the toughest fixtures in the calendar."

"To go to Cork and get a win is quite a task, as they are a well drilled side. They have a great coach, are strong across the park and it will be a huge challenge to go there with a young side."

In the meantime, Leinster can't afford to take too long bedding in their new players and young blood, according to flanker Keith Gleeson, who faces Glasgow Warriors at Donnybrook in the Celtic League today (kick-off 5pm).

The province's first Heineken Cup fixture - at home to Bath - is still a full six weeks away but with five Celtic League fixtures between now and then, Gleeson feels that Leinster need to start gelling soon.

"The way it's set up now you can't afford not to give it your very best in the Celtic League in every game. The standings are being used now for Heineken Cup seeding so it's just too important.

"The Celtic League is our bread and butter anyway and you can't hope to just pick and choose your best games. You've got to reach a standard and maintain that over a period of time, whether it's the Celtic League or Heineken Cup.

"For the coach, I suppose it's a question of getting the balance right between trying guys out and making sure we pick up the points."

Despite the absence of the team's five Lions and others like Shane Byrne and Leo Cullen, Leinster still have some knowledgeable old pros to lean on like Gleeson, Felipe Contepomi, Malcolm O'Kelly, Denis Hickie and Guy Easterby..

All have been named as part of Michael Cheika's "leadership team" that will assist captain Brian O'Driscoll.