Coach McGahan keeps the faith

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan has resisted the urge to wield the axe in the wake of Heineken Cup elimination by making just three changes to the squad for tomorrow’s final pool game, at home to London Irish.

Donnacha Ryan is the only enforced change having injured a hamstring after coming on as a replacement in last Sunday’s defeat at Toulon, which ended the province’s hopes of reaching the Heineken Cup semi-finals for a 13th year in a row.

The other two to miss out at Thomond Park this weekend are Billy Holland and Tommy O’Donnell, neither of whom made the bench at Stade Mayol. Both back-row forwards have been named in the Munster A squad for tonight’s British & Irish Cup tie against Esher at Garryowen’s Dooradoyle ground.