Focus needed after injury blows

PREVIEW: Biarritz v Munster

It wasn’t until the Captain’s Run at Thomond Park yesterday that the bad news emerged that the injuries Howlett and Dowling have been carrying for the past few weeks would again confine them to the sidelines.

Lifeimi Mafi and Denis Hurley were immediately called in as their replacements, with Tom Gleeson joining fellow rookie Scott Deasy on the subs’ bench.