Sell-out clash starts ‘huge’ period, says Kidney

MUNSTER coach Declan Kidney is poised to field his strongest available side for Wednesday’s sell-out Magners League clash with Leinster at Thomond Park.

With the exception of the suspended Alan Quinlan, all of those who started the Heineken Cup game against the Cardiff Blues are included in the squad.

It promises to be a tremendous occasion just two days after Christmas, with the Munster Branch confirming yesterday that all tickets have been allocated and that none will be available for sale on the day.

The tickets for the game were distributed through the Leinster Branch and in Munster through the clubs and schools, Munster Supporters Club, Magners League season ticket holders and sponsors.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether or not Munster will appeal the six-week suspension handed out to flanker Quinlan earlier in the week is likely to be made tomorrow evening.

Munster branch officials received the written judgement from the ERC yesterday and are considering their options. They have 72 hours from the time of receipt of the letter to decide whether or not to appeal.

Kidney has named a 26-strong squad for the Leinster game but won’t have a clear picture as to who is available for final selection until a number of players who spent the last few days in Portugal with the Irish squad return home today.

However, a signal of his intent is the strength of the squad with the inclusion of John O’Sullivan at number six the only likely change from the side that started the game against Cardiff.

“This is the start of a very intensive and very important period for us,” said Kidney.

“We have three huge games starting with the one against Leinster followed by a trip to Galway on New Year’s Eve and the game against Dragons a week later.

“It is important in the context of qualifying for the Heineken Cup next season that we have improved our position after these games are over.””.

Munster squad: J Hayes, F Pucciariello, D Hurley, T Buckley, A Kyriacou, F Sheahan, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, C Wyatt, D Ryan, D Wallace, D Leamy, J O’Sullivan, J Coughlan, T McGann, P Stringer, T O’Leary, R O’Gara, J Manning, L Mafi, T Halstead, B Murphy, J Kelly, I Dowling, C Cullen, S Payne.