O’Gara on road to recovery

RONAN O’GARA is being wrapped in cotton wool for tomorrow week’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens and misses tonight’s Magners League clash with Ospreys at Musgrave Park.

The Ireland out-half is making very good progress as he recovers from a knee injury sustained against Leinster last weekend and is likely to face Sarries. O’Gara’s injury, however, appears to have coloured Declan Kidney’s team selection for the arrival of a star-laden Ospreys side to Cork.

Clearly, the Munster coach intends not risking injury to any more key personnel, instead fielding a reserve side, bar the inclusion of likely starters for the Saracens match, Tomas O’Leary, Paul O’Connell and Denis Leamy.

There are call-ups from the wilderness, too, with Barry Murphy, Anthony Horgan (making his 143rd appearance for the province) and Brian Carney included.

They take their places in a new-look threequarter line and alongside Shaun Payne, who figures at full-back. Kiwi trio Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki and Doug Howlett are rested as indigenous talent is afforded an opportunity to sparkle against the Welsh region.

Paul Warwick takes over at No 10 and is partnered by Tomas O’Leary. Both will have their hands full dealing with All Black Justin Marshall and Welsh wizard James Hook.

Peter Stringer has recovered from soft tissue damage to his shoulder/neck area to take his place on the bench.

Kidney makes 14 changes from the side that lost 21-12 to Leinster but, if the back line has ostensibly being weakened, the pack includes battle-hardened competitors. Tony Buckley switches to his more familiar tight head position with Federico Pucciariello at loose and Frank Sheahan at hooker. Mick O’Driscoll partners O’Connell in the second row, in front of a back-row of Niall Ronan, Donncha Ryan and Denis Leamy.

Indeed, the back row contest should be intriguing and, on paper at least, Ospreys appear stronger with Jonathan Thomas, Marty Holah and Filo Tiatia incredibly tough opponents at the breakdown area.

It’s a new-look Munster side, unrecognisable from the XV that toppled Gloucester a fortnight ago, but Ospreys’ head coach Lyn Jones is expecting nothing easy off Kidney’s reserves.

Jones warned: “Munster may have one eye on their Heineken Cup semi-final next weekend, but it is fair to say that there is never an easy game against Munster. Everyone who pulls on the red shirt understands their responsibility.”