Rugby:As expected, Paul O'Connell will start on the replacements bench when Munster face Cardiff at Thomond Park. After eight long months on the sidelines, the Munster captain can expect to see action at some stage against the Blues but will be held in reserve by Tony McGahan.
Denis Leamy, one of a host of Ireland internationals back available following the autumn series, has been handed the captaincy as O’Connell waits in the wings.
McGahan, with one eye on the forthcoming Heineken Cup double-header with the Ospreys, has afforded Doug Howlett a break but includes the likes of Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Tony Buckley.
Despite the current conditions around the country, Munster are 100 per cent confident that match will go ahead as planned and have already confirmed it will kick-off at 5pm.
Munster:J Murphy; L Mafi, K Earls, S Tuitipou, D Hurley; R O'Gara, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements:M Sherry, D Ryan, J Hayes, P O'Connell, D Wallace, T O'Leary, P Warwick, B Murphy