Versatile Hurley rises to challenge for Munster

When James Downey and Casey Laulala, Munster’s first-choice centre partnership last season, were finding it increasingly difficult to break down defences, coach Rob Penney acceded to the player’s wishes and experimented with Denis Hurley, normally a wing or full-back, in the number 12 jersey.

At 6ft 3ins and 15st 10lbs, and the proud possessor two Heineken Cup medals, the versatile Hurley has several of the necessary attributes to fill what to many appears to be a gaping hole in the Munster midfield.

He duly revealed a considerable degree of potential for the role and now that Downey and Laulala have moved on, and New Zealander Tyler Bleyendall won’t be available until the new year, the experiment will be called upon again when table-toppers Ospreys visit Thomond Park on Saturday evening (6.30pm) for a vital Guinness Pro 12 encounter.