Hurley to face Warriors

DENIS Hurley is set to start at full back in Munster’s final Magners League tie against Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park tomorrow (5.30pm).

The 22-year-old Cork Constitution and Munster Academy back impressed in last weekend’s AIL final where his club lost narrowly to Garryowen, 16-15. The announcement of Munster’s 28-man squad on Tuesday saw the surprise exclusion of Christian Cullen, who moves on this summer. Cullen’s absence means there will be no send-off for the all-time top All Black try-scorer who arrived amidst much fanfare in November 2003.

Meanwhile USA Rugby confirmed yesterday plans to host a Setanta Challenge World Cup Send-Off Match against Munster, at Toyota Park Stadium, Chicago, on Sunday, August 26. The match is the official send-off for the USA as it leaves for the World Cup in France on September 1.

Said US coach Peter Thorburn: “Playing Munster should give us a great opponent to gauge how far we’ve come and allows the US to show off their skill in front of fans that may not have seen them play before.”

Elsewhere Connacht have swooped for Newcastle’s former England prop Robbie Morris. Morris made 42 appearances for the Falcons in two seasons after signing from Northampton. He won two England caps in 2003.