Kidney recalls stars to slay Dragons

IN THE fall-out from Munster’s Heineken Cup defeat to Llanelli Scarlets, it was felt coach Declan Kidney would begin the process of rebuilding for next season by fielding emerging talent from the provincial academy in the remaining Magners Celtic League games.

However, Kidney has paid due respect to the club game by resisting the temptation to cherry-pick youngsters. With three Munster sides involved in the AIB League Division One play-offs today, and a smattering of those youngsters involved — Denis Hurley, Tom Gleeson and Ross Noonan (Cork Con), and Mark Melbourne, Conan Doyle and Gerry Hurley (Garryowen) — it was felt the academy players would be better served with their clubs this weekend.

Kidney has opted to pick the strongest side available to him and, on paper, Munster look far superior to a depleted Dragons side whose head coach Paul Turner has made eight changes following the Welsh region’s 46-29 loss to Clermont Auvergne in last weekend’s European Challenge Cup semi-final.