Wasps hope to sting Munster with unchanged side

Wasps boss Warren Gatland will field the team that destroyed Gloucester’s European dream in Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final showdown against Munster.

With England lock Simon Shaw passed fit after undergoing a scan on his spleen yesterday, Gatland has predictably retained the side which thumped quarter-final opponents Gloucester 34-3 a fortnight ago.

Shaw was injured in an off-the-ball incident during Wasps’ Zurich Premiership victory over Leeds last weekend.

But initial fears of a serious injury were allayed by the scan, and he will take his place alongside Richard Birkett in the second-row.

One change on the bench sees Peter Richards chosen as scrum-half cover for Rob Howley, taking over from Harvey Biljon.

Sunday’s game will attract a record Heineken Cup semi-final crowd, with Lansdowne Road having hit its 48,000 capacity.

Team: M Van Gisbergen; J Lewsey, F Waters, S Abbott, T Voyce; A King, R Howley; C Dowd, T Leota, W Green, S Shaw, R Birkett, J Worsley, P Volley, L Dallaglio (capt).

Replacements: T Payne, B Gotting, M Purdy, M Lock, P Richards, M Denney, A Erinle.