Munster’s returning internationals to feature against Aironi

Tony McGahan has included all returning World Cup players in his 32-man squad ahead of Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Aironi in Musgrave Park on Friday night (8.30pm).

The return of Conor Murray adds to McGahan’s selection headache at scrum half where Duncan Williams and Peter Stringer have enjoyed some healthy competition in recent weeks while Tomas O’Leary will be looking for more game time having just recovered from injury.

The first choice pairing of Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan in the second row is available to McGahan having featured as Ireland’s primary option at lock while Denis Leamy and Donnacha Ryan return to a back row which has been led brilliantly by Peter O’Mahony so far this season.

Despite the return of senior members, the squad is still under strength with David Wallace, Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery on the injury list alongside Troy Smith, Peter Borlase, Darragh Hurley and Mike Sherry.

The squad assembled for the first time since the Rugby World Cup in Limerick yesterday and this morning trained in Thomond Park Stadium with indications being that most of those involved in the World Cup will see action on Friday in Cork.

Munster Squad: M Horan, W du Preez, J Hayes, BJ Botha, S Archer, D Varley, D Fogarty, M O’Driscoll, D Ryan, D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell, B Holland, D Leamy, N Ronan, P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell, D O’Callaghan, J Coughlan, T O’Leary, C Murray, D Williams, P Stringer, I Keatley, R O’Gara, K Earls, D Barnes, L Mafi, W Chambers, D Howlett, D Hurley, J Murphy, S Deasy,