Munster without big names for Cardiff clash

A combination of international commitment and injuries has resulted in a relatively inexperienced 28-man squad for Munster’s RaboDirect PRO 12 fixture in Thomond Park against Cardiff on Friday (7.05pm).

The likes of Marcus Horan, Tomas O’Leary and Mick O’Driscoll will be expected to provide some leadership with so many other senior players missing.

Paul O’Connell , Donncha O’Callaghan, Conor Murray, Keith Earls, Donncha Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Ronan O’Gara and Denis Hurley will not feature in the squad due to international commitments in the upcoming RBS Six Nations fixture against Italy.

Munster Squad: Marcus Horan, Wian du Preez, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, BJ Botha, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty, Sean Henry, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, Dave Foley, Ian Nagle, Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Paddy Butler, James Coughlan, Tomas O’Leary, Duncan Williams, Cathal Sheridan, Ian Keatley, Scott Deasy, Sean Scanlon, Luke O’Dea, Simon Zebo, Lifeimi Mafi, Danny Barnes, Johne Murphy, Felix Jones.

Not available due to injury: David Wallace (knee), Jerry Flannery (calf), Darragh Hurley (back), Tom Gleeson (shoulder), Doug Howlett (achilles), Denis Leamy (hip), Niall Ronan (knee), Mike Sherry (thumb).