Quinlan in contention for dramatic Reds return
Quinlan has returned to training three weeks ahead of schedule having damaged thumb ligaments in a Magners League tie in late November.
Coach Declan Kidney revealed: “Alan took part in training on Monday and again today. He certainly pushes the boat out in trying to get back, but it won’t be for the want of trying if he’s not back in the next few weeks.
“He definitely won’t be back this weekend. But with Alan you never say never. We’ll have to see what happens in next week’s training sessions.
“His hand is out of plaster. It was quite an extensive injury but he is certainly pushing the medics to do everything they can to keep him under wraps. He is a taking a part in some light ball work but there is no contact. There’s a small chance he could be back for the Clermont match.”
Paul O’Connell is also back training with Kidney describing the captain’s progress as “good”. How-ever the head coach won’t tempt fate by predicting a return to action this month for the totem lock forward. Instead he wishes to monitor O’Connell’s progress on a daily basis.
O’Connell has not seen game-time since Ireland’s 30-15 defeat to Argentina in the RWC on September 30 because of damaged discs.
“Paul took a part in training on Monday and today,” said Kidney. “We’ll have to see what way he is tomorrow and go from there.
“With a back injury you have to be really slow at the start and once he can take a full part in it then you can really have a go. It’s the best mix between the conditioning work, rugby work and anything else.
“We haven’t been giving any news flashes every day because that can just slow up theprocess. He’s bound to be asked all the time how he is. And the fact he has that bit of space now over the last three weeks, has allowed him to make good progress.”
In other injury news, prop Federico Pucciariello is a doubt for the trip to Clermont after suffering a groin strain at training on Sunday.
John O’Sullivan, who is sidelined since picking up a cruciate injury against USA on August 26, is expected to return a month ahead of schedule for Munster’s trip to Edinburgh on February 15, while Tomas O’Leary returns to the squad for tomorrow night’s clash with Ulster having recovered fully from a bout of pneumonia.
The big news of the day was undoubtedly the inclusion of All Black legend Doug Howlett for the match in Ravenhill. With John Kelly retired and Ian Dowling injured, Howlett’s arrival is timely. But whether the record try-scorer for New Zealand makes his debut on the wing or at full back remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has made five changes to his line-up for tomorrow night’s clash at Ravenhill.
David Humphreys comes in at fly-half with Paddy Wallace moving to centre. Paul Marshall starts at scrum-half, Nigel Brady is named at hooker, Carlo Del Fava plays at lock and Grant Webb makes his debut at number eight. Rory Best is absent for a number of weeks through injury so Del Fava is named as captain of the side. Isaac Boss and Justin Harrison drop to the replacements’ bench following the St Stephens Day defeat by Leinster and Paul Steinmetz and Kieron Dawson are not named in the match 22.
Munster Squad (v Ulster): Backs (13): S Payne, A Horgan, B Carney, D Howlett, K Lewis, B Murphy, R Tipoki, L Mafi,T O’Leary, G Hurley, P Stringer, R O’Gara, P Warwick.
Forward (12): M Horan, T Buckley,J Hayes, F Sheahan, J Flannery,D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, D Ryan,D Leamy, N Ronan, D Wallace, A Foley.
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