Paying lip service to player needs

DAY TRIPS to Dublin, as evidenced by the multiple shoppers boarding the evening train last Saturday, can be expensive affairs.

Munster found as much with injuries to Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer initially casting a shadow over their preparations for the Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens in 11 days’ time.

Apart from the physical injuries, Munster’s pride also took a battering, losing twice to Leinster in the same season for the first time since the dawn of the professional era. Thankfully the medical report on Munster’s half backs are quite positive, and while neither will feature against the Ospreys this Saturday, both are likely to be available for selection for the Saracens clash.