O’Gara to lead Munster raid
O’Gara takes the skipper’s armband from the injured Paul O’Connell who gave the out half a vote of confidence: “Rog is a great player and is well capable of stepping up to the mark when he needs to.”
O’Connell is also confident that the champions can remain on course to retain their title.
“I’m fairly confident that we can beat any of the teams remaining in this competition. It’s going to be tough, but then again it’s tough every year and at every stage when you get into the knockout stages,” he said.
However O’Gara sounded a word of caution. “If we play on Saturday the way Munster played for the first half of the game against Ulster last week, we will get ripped apart.”
But he has another reason for wanting victory against the Welsh outfit.
“We’ve got to be good, we have to be clever and my main concern is that I want to lead Munster into a Heineken cup semi-final so that Paulie (O’Connell) can take over the captaincy. That’ll do me.”
Munster coach Declan Kidney named a 28-strong squad for Friday’s quarter-final. Anthony Foley, John Kelly, Anthony Horgan and Mick O’Driscoll have all been passed fit while new signing Brian Carney is also included.
Meanwhile Toyota Ireland announced a €5 million sponsorship extension with the province. The deal which includes senior and Under-20 sides runs until 2010.
Dr Tim Mahony Toyota Ireland chairman, said: “We have enjoyed a mutually-beneficial partnership since 2004, during a time when Munster scaled the heights in European rugby and provided their many fans with imperishable memories of great games and wonderful travels. We look forward to continued success at a time when the redevelopment of Thomond Park and planned refurbishment at Musgrave Park signals a new chapter in the history of rugby in the province.”
Garrett Fitzgerald, chief executive, Munster Branch, IRFU added: “The renewal of our partnership with Toyota is tremendous news. The timing of this announcement is particularly opportune, coming as it does as we face into this crucial end of season period in the Magners League and Heineken Cup.
“The support we have received in the initial period of sponsorship made the decision to renew an easy one from our point of view. Once again I thank Dr Tim Mahony and Toyota Ireland for their support.
“I look forward to continuing our association over the next three years.”
MUNSTER SQUAD: Backs (13): C Cullen, B Carney, I Dowling, A Horgan, T Halstead, E Hickey, J Kelly, L Mafi, B Murphy, J Manning, R O’Gara, (Capt) T O’Leary, P Stringer, Forwards (15): T Buckley, J Flannery, A Foley, M Horan, J Hayes, D Leamy, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, J O’Sullivan, F Pucciarello, A Quinlan, D Ryan, F Sheehan, C Wyatt, D Wallace.
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