O’Callaghan bemoans Hayes’ loss as appeal decision delayed

MUNSTER have yet to receive a written copy of the IRFU disciplinary committee’s report on the suspension imposed on John Hayes, and will delay a decision on whether to appeal the severity of the six-week ban until they do so.

Hayes, who has already made 87 appearances in the tournament, misses tomorrow’s Heineken Cup match against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens with Tony Buckley standing by as his immediate replacement as tight-head prop. A new rule introduced by ERC for this year’s competition and intended to deal with any further Bloodgate activity, states that there “must be a minimum of six players who can play in front-forward positions” in each panel of 23.

Accordingly, Julien Brugnaut, Darragh Hurley and Dave Ryan along with Buckley and Marcus Horan and hookers Jerry Flannery and Denis Fogarty are included in the squad. One of Brugnaut, Hurley and Ryan will drop out when Tony McGahan shows his hand at lunch time today.