Costello keeps Munster minds focused on task in hand as Plymouth visit

Champions Munster bid to become the fourth team guaranteed a place in the B&I Cup quarter-finals when they host Plymouth Albion at Temple Hill, Cork, tonight (7pm).

England’s Bedford, Cornish Pirates and Newcastle Falcons and Munster retain slight hopes of earning a home quarter-final but Ian Costello’s main focus is on winning the match and simply getting through. As of today, they are seventh in the table and were positions to stay the same after the flurry of activity over three days, they would play away to Cornish Pirates. To move into home draw territory, Munster must secure a bonus point win and hope other results go their way.

Costello has made three changes in personnel, Christy Condon moving up from the bench for Alan Cotter at tight head prop, Johne Murphy filling in for Denis Hurley, who is acting as cover for the injured Felix Jones in Munster’s Heineken Cup squad, and Luke O’Dea for JJ Hanrahan.

Costello isn’t looking beyond the requirement to win, or at least pick up two points to steer his side clear at the top; Rotherham Titans, four points adrift, lurk in the background ready to pounce if Munster slip up and they themselves win at home to Aberavon tomorrow.

Leinster A are also in the qualification zone, their current sixth place would pitch them into an away tie against the Falcons but they need at least a losing bonus point away to Leeds Carnegie to get through.

Ulster have a tough away match to Bridgend while pool leaders Bristol should make sure of qualification with a home win over pointless Cardiff on Sunday. Connacht, out of contention, play Newport tomorrow.

MUNSTER: J Murphy, R O’Mahony, D Barnes, I Dinneen, L O’Dea, S Deasy, C Sheridan. J Cronin, D Casey, C Condon, I Nagle, D Foley, D O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, S Dougall (captain).

Replacements: N Scannell, A Cotter, B Hayes, R Murphy, B Haugh, C Hircock, AN Other.

PLYMOUTH ALBION: R McAtee, L Warner, K Fislau, B Armitage, T Bowen, R Cushion, P Rowley, J Andrew, L Cowan-Dickie, A Brown, H Tovey, W Carrick-Smith, R Nasiga, A Carpenter (captain), S Hocking.

Replacements: P Bailey, T Howley-Berridge, B Rogers, L Fairbrother, J Salter, H Stupple, S Matavesi.