Munster’s Tipoki set for early return to action against Ulster

RUA TIPOKI has recovered from a knee injury to make an earlier than anticipated return for Munster in Saturday night’s sell-out Magners League game against Ulster at Thomond Park (Setanta Ireland, 7.30pm).

The New Zealander has been out of action since the defeat to the All Blacks on November 17, and looked set to remain sidelined until mid-January. However, he has recovered ahead of schedule to be included in the 25-strong panel from which the starting XV will be announced by coach Tony McGahan tomorrow.

Tipoki’s experience and defensive qualities were sadly missed in the back-to-back Heineken Cup matches against Clermont Auvergne last month, as well as in a few below-par Magners League encounters, including the shock loss to Connacht in Galway.

Manager Shaun Payne said: “Rua has made it back early due to the professionalism of the player himself and the superb work of our medical and fitness staff. Further good news is that Denis Leamy is also rehabbing well and is on schedule for a return by the end of January.”

McGahan has excluded Paul O’Connell, Marcus Horan, Tomas O’Leary — all of whom also missed the defeat to Connacht — David Wallace and Ian Dowling, but Payne stressed that all are free of injury and likely to be included in the squad travelling to Wales for the Ospreys game on January 9.

However Ronan O’Gara, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes and Donncha O’Callaghan are all recalled.

McGahan has included three hookers, Jerry Flannery, Denis Fogarty and Mike Essex, in the squad. Frankie Sheahan is out until the end of January with a shoulder injury picked up against Connacht.

“This is a busy time of year with a succession of very important, very intense games looming, so it’s important we use our resources prudently,” said Payne.

Ulster coach Matt Williams also announced a 25-man squad last night. He claimed to be upbeat about the visit to Thomond Park despite some injury concerns. TJ Anderson, son of former Irish captain Willie, is ruled out by a knee injury leaving Williams a little light, particularly in the second-row with Carol del Fava and Ryan Caldwell also unavailable.

Surprisingly, Williams has chosen this week to rest his captain and one of his most experienced players, hooker Rory Best. In his absence, former Ireland flanker Kieron Dawson will lead the team.

Ulster picked off Munster with relish at Ravenhill in October with a 22-6 win, but Williams admits it is going to be a tad tougher this time out.

“If we go down to Munster, tackle our hearts out and stay within 10 points then we have every chance.” said Williams “Everyone is alive and fighting ... it’s a very close and competitive league.”

MUNSTER: K Earls, D Hurley, D Howlett, B Murphy, R Tipoki, L Mafi, K Lewis, P Warwick, R O’Gara, M Prendergast, P Stringer; F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, J Flannery, M Essex, T Ryan, J Hayes, M O’Driscoll, D O’Callaghan, D Ryan, A Quinlan, J O’Sullivan, N Ronan, N Williams, J Coughlan.

ULSTER: BJ Botha, N Brady, T Court, K Dawson, R Diack S Ferris, J Fitzpatrick, C Henry, M McCullough, E O’Donoghue; F Paulo, S Philpott, D Pollock; I Boss, D Cave, B Cunningham, I Humphreys, P Marshall, M McCrea, T Nagusa; N O’Connor, C Schifcoske; P Steinmetz, A Trimble; P Wallace.

CONNACHT: L Bibo, A Browne, K Campbell, F Carr, S Cronin, M Deane, A Dunne, G Duffy, A Farley, A Flavin, D Gannon, I Keatley, R Loughney, J Lyne, K Matthews, M McCarthy, R Morris, J Muldoon, F Murphy, T Nathan, R Ofisa, C Rigney, M Swift, N Ta’auso, B Wilkinson.