Munster aiming to continue good run
Munster, who have won home and away against Ulster and defeated Leinster in Clonmel, will fancy their chances against a side which includes former Irish open side flanker Jonny O’Connor, Ireland U20 full-back Tiernan O’Halloran and a number of others who have figured in the Magners League.
It is a big night for Ciaran O’Boyle, the Garryowen winger, and Dolphin prop Dave Ryan, who return from injury. O’Boyle was building a sizeable reputation last season when he scored tries in his first two Magners League games against the Dragons and Edinburgh before tearing a hamstring and spending almost 12 months on the sidelines.
Ryan had his first Magners outing against the Ospreys as a replacement for Freddie Pucciariello towards the end of last year and also impressed in a number of pre season games. He sustained a serious elbow injury in one of those matches which necessitated a three months lay off.
Tonight’s team is captained by flanker Peter O’Mahony, man of the match in Cork Con’s AIB Cup final win over Garryowen on Saturday, and also includes two other members of that side, centre Tom Gleeson and prop Stephen Archer.
However, coaches Anthony Foley and Ian Costelloe along with manager Mick Galwey also have their sights on the British & Irish Cup clash with Nottingham at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Friday week.
Several A team regulars won’t be available for that game as they will be in Lanzarote for warm weather training and accordingly, tonight’s game gives a number of players a chance to stake their claims for a spot against Nottingham.
Meanwhile Leinster have named a strong selection for their clash with Ulster Ravens this evening (Navan RFC, 6.30pm). Stephen Keogh captains the team in a pack which features Richardt Strauss, who starts at hooker, and Trevor Hogan who partners Ciaran Ruddock in the second row. David Moore links up at half-back with Ian Madigan, while Simon Keogh forms an exciting looking back three alongside David Kearney and Niall Morris.
Opponents Ulster have included USA Eagles international Scott La Valla in their selection for the trip to Meath.
La Valla, who is studying in Dublin is no stranger to the region; he captained the USA team during the U19 Rugby Would Cup which was hosted by the province in April of 2007.
Ravens Manager Gary Longwell said: “We have a very good working relationship with Trinity and Scott has been highly recommended to us for possible inclusion into our Academy system, so we are taking this opportunity to have a look at him in action. He has been involved in training with us this week and has fitted in very well.”
MUNSTER A: D Riordan (UL/Bohemian); C O’Boyle (Garryowen), D Barnes (Dolphin), T Gleeson (Cork Con), R O’Mahony (Garryowen); D Cusack (Thomond), P Rowley (UL/Bohemian); D Ryan (Dolphin), S Henry (UL/Bohemian), S Archer (Cork Con), E Kelly (UL/Bohemian), D Foley (UL/Bohemian), D Sherry (Garryowen), E Grace (Shannon), P O’Mahony (Cork Con).
Replacements: D Varley (Garryowen), P O’Regan (UL/Bohemian), W Holland (Cork Con), T O’Donnell (UL/Bohemian), C Murray (Garryowen), M Kelliher (Richmond), S Scanlon (UCC), S Duggan (Shannon), I Dineen (UCC).
CONNACHT A: T O’Halloran; F Gormley, B Tuohy, A Wynne, C O’Loughlin; M Nikora, A Kennedy; C Higgins, D Murphy, J Hagan, L Scahill, B Reilly, E McKeon, J.O’Connor, M McComish.
Replacements: A Flavin, J Robinson, S Casey, M Dolan, D Clarke, C Murphy, C Conroy.
LEINSTER A: N Morris, D Kearney, E O’Malley, K Tonetti, S Keogh, I Madigan, D Moore, A Lyons, R Strauss, B Barclay, C Ruddock, T Hogan, E Sheriff, P Ryan, S Keogh.
Replacements: J Harris-Wright, M Moore, J Murphy, C Mallon, C Keane, M Keating, S Monahan.
ULSTER A: M McCrea, C Gilroy, M Allen, I Whitten, T Seymour, N O’Connor, I Porter, P McAllister, A Kyriacou, A Macklin, N McComb, S La Valla, A Birch, W Faloon, TJ Anderson.
Replacements: D Fitzpatrick, B Young, A Linton, C Willis, S Mulholland, J Smith, A Finlay.
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