Munster boost as O’Mahony given all-clear

Munster have been given a boost ahead of today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse after captain Peter O’Mahony was included in Rob Penney’s team to face the four-time champions at Thomond Park (1:30pm).

Back-rower O’Mahony, 24, has had hamstring problems, playing only 65 minutes in the last six weeks, against France on March 15. He was due to return for Munster last Saturday against Leinster but was a late withdrawal due to a tight hamstring. O’Mahony followed a modified training regime this week and came through a full squad session in Cork on Thursday to be named at blindside flanker, one of two changes to the team which started the 22-18 league defeat last week in Dublin. O’Mahony replaces CJ Stander, while James Downey returns at inside centre as Denis Hurley drops out of the squad.

Loosehead prop James Cronin is out with an ankle sprain joining tighthead Stepehen Archer on the injured list. John Ryan will cover for starter Dave Kilcoyne with Alan Cotter continuing on the bench in Archer’s absence as BJ Botha starts.

Toulouse coach Guy Noves has made 10 changes, three of them positional, from last Saturday’s 32-28 Top 14 away loss to Toulon. France back- rowers Yannick Nyanga and Louis Picamoles are both fit, the former dropping to a bench of six forwards and two backs – fit-again fly-half Luke McAlister and Jean-Marc Doussain, who makes way for Jano Vermaak at scrum-half. Yohan Montes replaces injured Census Johnston at tighthead, while Yoann Maestri returns at lock, Gael Fickou starts at inside centre, Florian Fritz moving to 13 as Yann David misses out.

Maxime Médard starts at full-back, Yoann Huget moving to the wing, replacing Vincent Clerc.