Wasps may move Munster clash to Ricoh Arena

WASPS are seeking a move from Adams Stadium for November’s clash with Munster in the Heineken Cup.

A spokesperson for the club said yesterday that a move to the 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena in Coventry was a serious possibility, given their home ground can only accommodate 10,000 fans.

CEO Tony Copsey has been looking at an alternative stadium for what should be one of the most attractive matches of the forthcoming European campaign.

“The Ricoh would be good for Munster supporters as well due to the proximity to Birmingham, and East Midlands and London airports. It’s a relatively easy venue to access.”

Munster coach Declan Kidney has named an experimental side to face Viadana in their final pre-season warm-up at Musgrave Park tonight (6.30pm).

Kidney has made 12 changes, two positional, to the XV that disposed of Saracens last Friday, as he takes a last look at his squad prior to their Magners League opener at home to Llanelli Scarlets next weekend.

Dolphin number eight James Coughlan takes over the captaincy from Anthony Foley, while New Zealand Maori captain Rua Tipoki replaces compatriot Lifeimi Mafi at inside centre, making his full debut for the club alongside Garryowen wing Ciaran O’Boyle and academy players Sean Cronin (Shannon) and Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohs).

Prop Federico Pucciarello moves across the scrum to tight-head to accommodate Eugene McGovern, while Billy Holland moves from flanker to partner Mark Melbourne in the second row. Gerry Hurley and Jeremy Manning will form a new combination at half-back, while on the wing Anthony Horgan replaces John Kelly, who injured his knee and ankle in an awkward fall last week.

Kidney said initial fears that the veteran wing had suffered a fracture had been allayed.

The prognosis is also good for full-back Denis Hurley, who has returned to training after an ankle injury sustained in the 10-6 win over USA Eagles last month.

However, flanker John O’Sullivan will be out until the spring after he undergoes surgery today on a damaged cruciate ligament suffered in Chicago.

MUNSTER: M Lawlor; A Horgan, K Lewis, R Tipoki, C O’Boyle; J Manning, G Hurley; E McGovern, S Cronin, F Pucciariello; B Holland, M Melbourne; T O’Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan (capt).

Replacements (from); Darragh Hurley, Timmy Ryan, D Fogarty, M O’Driscoll, A Foley, T O’Leary, D Williams, P Warwick, I Dowling, L Mafi, K Earls.