Munster make light of big-name absentees

EVEN though Ronan O’Gara, Tomás O’Leary and Keith Earls are all rested under the IRFU edict regarding senior international players, Munster have chosen a back division of remarkable experience and talent for tomorrow evening’s sell-out Magners League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill.

Multi-capped New Zealander Doug Howlett and South African Jean de Villiers are included in the three-quarter line, along with another Kiwi, Lifeimi Mafi, and two-time Heineken Cup winner Ian Dowling.

Paul Warwick, the Australian who has been enjoyed a rich vein of form all season, partners another international of long standing, Peter Stringer, at half-back, while Denis Hurley reverts from wing to full-back, a berth he has filled for most of his career.