Stringer and O’Driscoll named in Munster squad

Peter Stringer and Mick O'Driscoll have both been included in the squad for Munster's Magners league clash with Newport Dragons on Saturday.

Gordon D’Arcy and Girvan Dempsey, meanwhile, have been named in the Leinster panel for Friday's meeting with the Ospreys.

All four players started on the bench for Ireland in last Saturday's Six Nations victory against England.

The Ireland squad - minus the players released to the provinces - are due to train indoors in Cork this morning in preparation for next week’s trip to Scotland.

Munster will be intent on maintaining, even stretching out, their lead at the top of the table through the influence of a group of senior players like Alan Quinlan, Nick Williams and probable captain O'Driscoll.

Munster (v The Dragons): Denis Hurley; Anthony Horgan, Kieran Lewis, Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Ciaran O'Boyle; Paul Warwick, Jeremy Manning, Duncan Williams, Peter Stringer; Darragh Hurley, Federico Pucciariello, Michael Essex, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley; Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan; Denis Leamy, Niall Ronan, Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell, Nick Williams.