Second-row duo out of Munster squad

Coach Tony McGahan has left captain Paul O’Connell and Mick O’Driscoll out of his initial squad for the Magner’s League clash at Cardiff Blues on Sunday.

In addition, the absence of Donncha Ryan means there is a huge gap in the middle of the Munster pack, presumably to be filled by the versatile Alan Quinlan.

Munster must win to ensure a semi-final slot in the newly formatted Magner’s Play-Off semi-final system.

MUNSTER SQUAD (v Cardiff): Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julian Brugnaut, Dave Ryan, John Hayes, Damien Varley, Jerry Flannery, Denis Fogarty, Billy Holland, Donncha O'Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Niall Ronan, Tomas O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean De Villiers, Danny Barnes, Denis Hurley, Keith Earls, Scott Deasy, Tom Gleeson.