Fit-again Cullen may have to wait
But the New Zealand fullback might have to wait a little longer to make his full comeback from a shoulder injury as coach, Declan Kidney welcomes back the bulk of his Heineken Cup squad.
Just a week in advance of Munster’s European clash with Cardiff, Kidney is unlikely to make any major decisions and is likely to settle for Shaun Payne as his starting fullback. But, the European issues aside, Kidney will certainly be focused on Connacht whom they also meet in Galway on New Year’s Eve.
It is important, after a bad start to the Magners League, that Munster win both these matches because there is a danger of having to qualify for next year’s Heineken Cup should they finish below Connacht in the Celtic competition. At the moment, they are behind Michael Bradley’s men.
But they have all of their big names back for this one and the timing could not have been more perfect. The only injury worry — and that’s a slight one — concerns David Wallace. Already ruled out, Marcus Horan will be replaced in the squad by Darragh Hurley but Munster have plenty of options in that front row. It will be interesting to see whether Kidney pairs Lifeimi Mafi or Barry Murphy, with Trevor Halstead or whether he goes with a combination of two from the three.
John Kelly is back in the equation and the return of Anthony Horgan from injury has also added a bit of spice to the selection.
Meanwhile, Connacht prop Stephen Knoop is doubtful. The 26 year old has been out since September with a back injury and while he played in a friendly against Galwegians last week, it remains to be seen if he will be fit to play.
The South African, who will become Irish-qualified at the end of the season, will undergo a fitness test later in the week.
As a result, Connacht are unlikely to announce their squad until Saturday as they bid for a first ever win over Munster since the professional era began.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley said Knoop had worked extremely hard over the past few weeks to get back to full fitness.
“We will give him as long as possible and hopefully he will be available for selection,’ said Bradley.
MUNSTER squad: Forwards: F Pucciariello, D Hurley, J Hayes, F Roche, A Kyriacou, F Sheahan, P O’Connell, D O’Connell, M O’Driscoll, A Quinlan, D Wallace, T McGann, J O’Sullivan, D Leamy.
Backs: S Payne, I Dowling, A Horgan, C Cullen, J Kelly, T Halstead, B Murphy, L Mafi, T O’Leary, P Stringer, E Hickey, R O’Gara, J Manning.
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