Munster injury concerns on eve of final

Munster have been hit by injuries ahead of tomorrow’s Heineken Cup final against English champions Leicester at the Millennium Stadium.

Wing Anthony Horgan is out of the final after breaking two bones in his hand during training.

Lions centre Rob Henderson has still to prove his fitness following a persistent ankle problem, while coach Declan Kidney is confident that lock Paul O’Connell will shake off a shoulder injury in time.

Kidney was unable to finalise his back division at today’s team’s press conference in Cardiff, the only confirmed starters behind the scrum being full-back Dominic Crotty, centre Jason Holland, fly-half Ronan O’Gara and scrum-half Peter Stringer.

Both wing slots and one centre berth will be filled by three players from five Henderson, John Kelly, Mike Mullins, Jeremy Staunton and John O’Neill.

Kidney does not expect to confirm his final selection until around an hour before kick-off.

But provided that O’Connell has no last-minute problems, then Kidney will at least be able to field the same pack on duty against semi-final opponents Castres in Beziers last month.

Leicester, bidding to become the first club to retain the Heineken Cup, have made one change from their semi-final line-up against Llanelli four weeks ago.

Jamie Hamilton has won coach Dean Richards’ scrum-half vote ahead of Harry Ellis, Leicester’s try-scorer during the Llanelli game.

Ellis must content himself with a place on the bench, alongside the likes of New Zealand flanker Josh Kronfeld.

Austin Healey is retained as Tigers’ fly-half despite an indifferent display in the 13-12 victory over Llanelli, while both skipper Martin Johnson and flanker Neil Back have recovered from colds that sidelined them for last weekend’s Premiership play-off defeat against Bristol.

Full-back Tim Stimson, whose monster late penalty knocked Llanelli out of Europe, has also reported fit following an ankle niggle.

The Leicester side includes 10 English internationals, while centre Rod Kafer will hope to emulate his fellow Australian Pat Howard, who was in the Leicester team that defeated final opponents Stade Francais last season.