Rugby - Squad News:There is no shortage of demand on the Munster players at present with Sunday's Mangers League game against Connacht, next week's British and Irish Cup semi-final and Anthony Foley is away with the A-squad for tonight's game against Esher RFC in England.
Munster therefore named an extended 29-man squad ahead of the trip to Galway with no place for Paul O’Connell (groin), Keith Earls (groin), Doug Howlett (hamstring) and Ian Dowling (knee) who were all given the week off with the long-term view focused on the Heineken Cup semi-final against Biarritz on May 2nd.
As a result the likes of Ireland under-20 winger Simon Zebo and the promising Danny Barnes were promoted to the senior ranks.
Michael Bradley’s side must feel they are taking on their more illustrious province at an opportune time and will surely not forget their memorable 12-6 victory in this same fixture last season.
The Connacht squad is expected to be announced on Friday with flanker Ray Ofisa, who is suffering from vertigo, the main doubt.
Munster squad (v Connacht):S Deasy, S Zebo, T Gleeson, L Mafi, J de Villiers, D Barnes, R O'Gara, P Warwick, J Manning, T O'Leary, P Stringer, J Coughlan, N Ronan, P O'Mahoney, AQuinlan, D Wallace, N Williams, B Holland, D Foley, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, D Fogarty, J Flannery, D Varley, M Horan, J Hayes, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, D Ryan