Munster ring the changes for Ulster clash

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan has made sweeping changes for tonight’s Magners League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill (7.30pm) — despite the obvious risk to this season’s perfect record.

He has retained just five players from last week’s Heineken Cup starting line up at Sale Sharks, although only three of this new-look 22-man squad come from outside last week’s group — Mick O’Driscoll, who captains the side, Tony Buckley and Anthony Horgan.

The survivors from last week’s first-choice team are Alan Quinlan and John O’Sullivan up front, and backs Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi and Ian Dowling, with Warwick moving from full back to out-half.

McGahan had been expected to name a stronger side, given the international stars available and the chance to strengthen a title challenge against notoriously difficult opposition.

But he took a different view: “This season we have maintained an open squad policy, but the likes of Ronan (O’Gara) have played in six of our last seven games and he was a replacement in the other game. Keith (Earls) was in a similar position and Paul (O’Connell) and Doug (Howlett) have played seven straight. John (Hayes) played the last five games, and we’re only in month two of a nine-month season. We can’t expect the same guys to play all the time,” he argued.

McGahan accepts the risk he is taking, especially given Munster’s poor record in Belfast over the years.

“There are no more formidable places to go than Ravenhill. Ulster are a tough, robust side, but we have full confidence in our squad,” he said.

As Munster have left out O’Gara, Earls, Howlett, O’Connell, Hayes, Marcus Horan, Tomás O’Leary, Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery (he is a replacement), Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace, tonight’s match provides an opportunity for others such as Denis Hurley, Buckley, Horgan and the experienced but out-of-favour O’Driscoll to stake a claim. O’Driscoll will now partner Donncha Ryan in the second row. He and Quinlan are Munster’s most experienced forwards.

Meanwhile, Stephen Ferris, plagued with injury this season, returns for Ulster at the expense of Matt McCullough. Ed O’Donoghue starts in the second row ahead of Italian international Carlo Del Fava, who is named on the bench.

Ulster coach Matt Williams has done a U-turn in naming Rory Best as captain, having excluded the Irish hooker from the squad earlier in the week.

Once Irish coach Declan Kidney allowed the bulk of the national squad free to play for the provinces this weekend, Williams picked his captain.

Five times capped Ferris is delighted to be back, and hopes to put in a big performance in front of Kidney.

“It’s a massive match for Ulster — not only are Munster big provincial rivals, but they are going so well and playing some cracking rugby. Mind you, they can be unsettled and we aim to do that,” he said.

The availability of Ferris was not the only good news for Williams in a week when Andrew Trimble signed a contract extension of two years. Trimble had been headhunted by a number of overseas clubs; amongst them Biarritz.

Williams said: “By re-signing for us, Andrew has emphasised Ulster’s desire to develop our homegrown talent. It is a huge boost to have such a quality player show faith in the team.’’