Sheahan withdrawn from Treviso test

Frankie Sheahan, try-scoring Heineken Cup man-of-the-match in Saturday’s heroic 35-14 defeat of Gloucester, has been withdrawn from the Munster side to face Treviso tomorrow evening at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, due to a knee complaint.

Coach Alan Gaffney, who is seeking to secure his side’s fourth win of the competition and third bonus point, said that the hooker’s withdrawal was a ‘precautionary measure’, and it would ‘not be in the best interest of Frankie’s or the team itself’ if he were to play tomorrow.

Shannon hooker James Blaney is to replace Sheahan, whose withdrawal was announced following this afternoon’s first training session on Italian soil.

29-year-old Blaney tasted second-half action in his club’s 20-11 win over Co Carlow in the AIB League last Sunday.

Frank Roche is promoted to the replacements bench.

Munster (v Treviso): S Payne; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan; R O’Gara, P Stringer; G McIlwham, J Blaney, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, J Williams (Capt), D Wallace, A Foley.

Replacements: F Roche, S Kerr, D Pusey, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Staunton, J Holland.