Munster close to full strength for Ulster trip

Munster will be close to full strength for their trip north to Ulster on Saturday with Paul O’Connell set to start the crucial Guinness Pro12 clash after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Head coach Anthony Foley will be without loosehead prop James Cronin for another week with a bruised knee while more seriously, Dave O’Callaghan has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after the back rower tore medial cruciate ligaments in his left knee during Munster A’s match with Ulster Ravens in Naas last week.

New signing Tyler Bleyendaal did come successfully through that game having recovered from a career-threatening neck injury suffered as a Canterbury player, and Foley does not rule out a senior debut this season for the New Zealander, who now gives the management further options at fly-half and inside centre.