Big guns back in harness for tricky Dragons test

THE first wave of Munster’s cavalry return tonight to face the Dragons at Rodney Parade (7.05pm) but given the province’s recent form, a rescue mission is hardly necessary.

Tomás O’Leary, Lifeimi Mafi, Johne Murphy and John Hayes were all named in the match-day squad yesterday for the Magners League away day to Newport, with the remaining Munster men among Declan Kidney’s international squad due back next Tuesday.

Scrum-half O’Leary missed the four-Test Guinness Series with a broken thumb suffered against Leinster, but will start. Mafi is named among the replacements, having been suspended for seven-week ban following a dangerous tackle made in the same game. Hayes and Murphy were both released from the national squad, not needed for the Argentina game on Sunday.