Munster
Munster have retained the same 15 players who started and finished the victory over Castres for Saturday's Heineken European Cup clash with Bath at Thomond Park. Coach Declan Kidney has yet to finalise the list of replacements awaiting a definitive medical report on Killian Keane.
Denied the time to bask in the reflected glow of last weekend's stunning triumph at the Stade Pierre Antoine, Kidney has been occupied by the demands that Bath will pose. When asked to evaluate Saturday's opposition, the Munster coach ventured: "Well there's no shallow end. Seriously, they don't have any weaknesses and are very difficult to break down. There is great quality throughout their side."
Kidney concedes that the pressure this season is completely different from that of last year. "Last year we were on a roll, a journey into the unknown. We could go hell for leather. That is why I admire, so much, what the players have achieved this season because they know about the potential heartache at the end, yet are still prepared to work as hard.
"They are not alone. Sonia O'Sullivan showed it can be done as did Kilkenny and they are just some of the recent examples. I think it's fair to say that nobody will write off any of the provinces but at the same time we're not about to take anything for granted. We are under no illusions about Saturday. No team expects to beat Bath."
Munster (v Bath): D Crotty; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), J Langford; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements (from): K Keane, J O'Neill, J Staunton, T Tierney, M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan, C McMahon, M Horan, J Blaney.
Leinster
Leinster make one change from the side that started in the defeat of Biarritz for Saturday's Cup game against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens. Kevin Putt is ruled out with a recurrence of a calf strain and the scrumhalf berth is taken by Brian O'Meara, who came on as Putt's replacement last Friday. Old Belvedere's Simon Keogh is promoted to the bench.
Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy sat out most of yesterday's session at Anglesea Road nursing minor knocks but both will be ready come Saturday. Coach Matt Williams pointed out the similarity between the Leinster and Northampton seasons to date. "They have been ravaged by injury and no team is immune from that even if you are the European champions.
"They have lost top players at various stages but certainly in the last game (against Edinburgh Reivers) they did enough to win the match. They are a very good side who play super rugby and in Tim Rodber, Pat Lam, Paul Grayson and Allan Bateman they have excellent players. I believe that Matt Dawson will be back for Saturday. The Edinburgh game was the first they have lost at home in over a year so we are under no illusions about what will be required to win."
Leinster (v Northampton): G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; E Hekenui, B O'Meara; R Corrigan, S Byrne, E Byrne; R Casey, M O'Kelly; T Brennan, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: S Keogh, M McHugh, P McKenna, E Miller, L Cullen, G Halpin, P Smyth.
Ulster
Ulster will announce their side at lunchtime today for Sunday's game against Toulouse at the Stade Les Septs Deniers. The extensive casualty list remains the same but all bar Paddy Johns should win their respective battles with injury.
Connacht
Connacht also name their team today on arriving in France where they face Montferrand in the European Shield on Sunday. Junior Charlie looks certain to miss the game but the better news is that Eric Elwood looks to have recovered from his thigh injury.
