Munster banking on young brigade

CONNACHT’S Eric Elwood signalled his intent ahead of Monday’s Rabo Direct 12 clash with Munster by making just one enforced change from the side that lost to Gloucester in last week’s Heineken Cup tie at Kingsholm.

In contrast, his Munster counterpart Tony McGahan has retained only Donncha O’Callaghan, Niall Ronan, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo from the team that defeated the Scarlets on Sunday.

His hands were tied with regard to Paul O’Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Ronan O’Gara and Conor Murray because of the IRFU player protection programme while several others were rested after an intensive programme of matches.