O’Gara loss opens door for rising star Keatley

Ian Keatley has been charged with helping lift Munster into the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup after his expected elevation to the team that meets Racing Metro at Thomond Park tomorrow (12.45pm).

Keatley replaces veteran Ronan O’Gara in the pivotal number 10 position, just as he did in round two against Edinburgh when he produced an impressive performance in the 33-0 bonus point win.

This, however, is only Keatley’s third Heineken Cup start of the season having played full back in the opening game against the French side when Munster conceded two late penalties to lose the tie by five points.