Munster stars warned they ‘must play for their places’

MUNSTER’S pride of Lions and other elite players have been warned not to expect to walk back into the side for the eagerly-awaited Magners League clash against Leinster at the RDS on October 3, followed in successive weeks by Heineken Cup matches against Northampton and Treviso.

Coach Tony McGahan and manager Shaun Payne have been impressed with the form of a number of younger players in the pre-season friendlies and Magners League games and insists they will be given every opportunity to retain their placesonce the serious business begins next month.

“You could have 10 or 11 players coming back into the squad shortly, between three Lions and guys fit again after injury”, said Payne last night. “Suddenly there’s a lot of competition for places and so there will be a lot of guys looking for big performances this week. There are going to be a lot of disappointed lads with so many coming back at pretty much the same time. We want the team to play in the Heineken Cup to play as many games as possible together”.