Munster must plan without big guns

IRELAND has first call on a number of Munster players in the build up to another key Magners League clash against Ulster at Ravenhill on Saturday.

National requirements (rest periods) mean that Munster coach Tony McGahan will be short captain Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, David Wallace, Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary and Keith Earls.

Additionally, Marcus Horan, Darragh Hurley, Jerry Flannery, Barry Murphy, Felix Jones, Jeremy Manning, Dave Ryan and Denis Leamy are all ruled out through injury.