Munster expect tough opener against Blues

MUNSTER may be Heineken Cup champions but they won’t get anything soft in the Celtic League opener against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park tomorrow night.

Thu, 31 Aug, 2006 - 01:00
Barry Coughlan

The visitors are one of the favourites to win the Magners sponsored league this season, but Cardiff will be firm favourites to win this opener.

The reason is simple; the Blues are pretty close to full strength, and are at home, while Munster can’t call on anything like a first choice side.

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CourtsRugbyPlace: Arms ParkPlace: CorkPlace: RavenhillPlace: North AmericaPlace: University of Cape TownPlace: South AfricaPlace: LondonPerson: Declan KidneyPerson: KidneyPerson: Tom GleesonPerson: Ross NoonanPerson: Brendan CuttrissPerson: James CoughlanPerson: Eugene McGovernPerson: Chris DeloozePerson: Ciaran O’BoylePerson: Frankie RochePerson: Barry MurphyPerson: Tom ShanklinPerson: Roger WilsonPerson: Brett WilkinsonPerson: Adrian FlavinPerson: Michael BradleyPerson: WilkinsonPerson: FlavinPerson: John FogartyPerson: R. WilliamsPerson: C CzekajPerson: J RobinsonPerson: M StcherbinaPerson: M LuveitasauPerson: N RobinsonPerson: M PhillipsPerson: G JenkinsPerson: T Rhys ThomasPerson: T FilisePerson: D JonesPerson: R SidoliPerson: S MorganPerson: M WilliamsPerson: X RushPerson: J YappPerson: G WilliamsPerson: B DaviesPerson: R Sowden-TaylorPerson: W EvansPerson: N MacleodPerson: T ShanklinPerson: C. CullenPerson: S. PaynePerson: I. DowlingPerson: J. DowneyPerson: J. KellyPerson: M. LawlorPerson: T. GleesonPerson: E. HickeyPerson: J. ManningPerson: T. O’LearyPerson: J. HurleyPerson: F. PucciarielloPerson: D. HurleyPerson: T. RyanPerson: F. SheahanPerson: S. CroninPerson: F SheahanPerson: J CoughlanPerson: J O’SullivanPerson: D RyanPerson: R NoonanPerson: C. WyattPerson: B CuttrissPerson: S O’ConnorPerson: B CunninghamPerson: M BartholemeuszPerson: P SteinmetzPerson: P WallacePerson: A MaxwellPerson: D HumphreysPerson: K CampbellPerson: J FitzpatrickPerson: P ShieldsPerson: T CourtPerson: J HarrisonPerson: T BarkerPerson: S FerrisPerson: N McMillanPerson: R WilsonPerson: N BradyPerson: D FitzpatrickPerson: M McCulloughPerson: K DawsonPerson: P MarshallPerson: K MaggsPerson: S YoungPerson: M MostynPerson: C McPhillipsPerson: P WarwickPerson: D YappPerson: M McHughPerson: C KeanePerson: B WilkinsonPerson: A FlavinPerson: S KnoopPerson: D GannonPerson: A FarleyPerson: J MuldoonPerson: M LaceyPerson: C RigneyPerson: J FogartyPerson: M DiffleyPerson: M SwiftPerson: B O’ConnorPerson: T TierneyPerson: K MatthewsPerson: D RiordanEvent: Heineken CupEvent: Celtic LeagueEvent: Churchill CupEvent: Magners LeagueOrganisation: MunsterOrganisation: BluesOrganisation: Cardiff BluesOrganisation: CardiffOrganisation: LeicesterOrganisation: UlsterOrganisation: Llanelli ScarletsOrganisation: New Zealand MaoriOrganisation: ConnachtOrganisation: Border ReiversOrganisation: IrishOrganisation: Ireland
<p>Pictured is Aer Lingus College Football Classic ambassador Ian Madigan ahead of this year's game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the UNC Tar Heels, taking place at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 29 August 2026. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile</p>

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Donal Lenihan
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