Brian Carney, the Cork-born former British rugby league star, seems set to make his Munster debut in Friday night's Magners Celtic League game against Ulster at Ravenhill. The 30-year-old recently signed a two-year contract with the Irish province and began training with his new team-mates on Monday.
He was also confirmed as one of three additions to Munster's Heineken European Cup squad - with secondrow Donncha Ryan and hooker Denis Fogarty - ahead of Friday week's quarter-final against Llanelli at Stradey Park.
Carney's union experience centres on his time as a pupil at Clongowes Wood College and a few games at junior level with Lansdowne. Quite apart from a desire to integrate him as quickly as possible Munster coach Declan Kidney has seen his squad hit by a spate of injuries. Shaun Payne, Anthony Horgan and John Kelly are out of the Ulster game, thereby considerably improving Carney's chances of making the match 22. He is likely to be considered as a wing - he played there in league - initially.
Mick O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell and Freddie Pucciariello are also unavailable. O'Driscoll sustained rib cartilage damage against Italy in Rome at the weekend. His absence means Ryan and Chris Wyatt are likely to be fighting for a place not just against Ulster but in all probability for the Llanelli match.
Munster train in Garryowen this afternoon after which an extended squad for this Friday's game will be confirmed.
Leinster will confirm their match squad for Saturday's Celtic League game against Connacht at Donnybrook at lunch-time and likely to be included is secondrow Malcolm O'Kelly. Ireland's record holder in terms of caps, 83, has been battling a knee injury for the last couple of months but is expected to return seven days ahead of the province's crucial European Cup quarter-final against Wasps at Adams Park.
Coach Michael Cheika has had to absorb the news captain Brian O'Driscoll will miss the next four to six weeks with a category-two hamstring tear sustained in Rome. Prop Ronan McCormack is also injured but Luke Fitzgerald should be named after recovering from a neck problem.
Cheika will be able to call upon the remainder of his international three-quarter line with Girvan Dempsey, Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy set to return while there should be confirmation Felipe Contepomi has recovered from the knee injury sustained in the friendly against Benetton Treviso.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley should hand Gavin Duffy a starting role after his return to his native province from Harlequins in London. The international can play centre, wing, fullback and outhalf. Hooker Joe Merrigan returns after missing most of the season with a leg injury but Ronan Loughney, Keith Matthews, Matt Mostyn, Brendan O'Connor and Tom Tierney are out. Ted Robinson's name was added to the list after he tore his hamstring in training this week.
Connacht will announce a squad tomorrow before confirming their team on Friday.
