Mafi and O’Leary return for Munster
Tomás O’Leary and Lifeimi Mafi are included in the Munster squad, for the first time in almost two months, for Friday’s Magners League away trip to the Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport. (kick-off 7.05pm)
O’Leary has been out of action, for province and country, since breaking his thumb against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium at the beginning of October, while Mafi picked up a seven week suspension for a dangerous tackle in the same game.
O’Leary’s return is a welcome boost for Munster considering that Duncan Williams, who has impressed at scrum half in recent weeks, picked up an ankle injury against the Scarlets last weekend and will be out for two to three weeks.
John Hayes and Johne Murphy have been released from international duty and are named in the extended squad although Donnacha Ryan is still serving a three-week suspension for dangerous play while playing for Ireland against Samoa.
W du Preez, D Ryan, J Hayes, S Archer, P Borlase, S Henry, M Sherry, B Hayes, I Nagle, B Holland, P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan. T O'Leary, C Murray, P Warwick, S Deasy, S Tuitupou, B Murphy, L Mafi, I Dineen, T Gleeson, D Howlett, J Murphy, D Hurley.
