European Cup Whether to start Jason Holland or Rob Henderson will be the primary puzzle exercising the minds of the Munster brains trust in the build-up to Sunday's Heineken European Cup quarter-final.
In the interim, though, they have the added task of whittling the squad of 26 they announced yesterday down to 22.
This will involve some tough decisions too, in that experienced campaigners such as Mick Galwey and Eddie Halvey, who've yet to reach Munster's Holy Grail, might miss out to younger men up front, while Dominic Crotty, Mossie Lawlor and Killian Keane are vying for the last place on the bench as utility back cover.
The squad of 22 will be finalised tomorrow, with the starting line-up most likely named before the ERC deadline at midday on Friday. At least Munster are in relatively rude health, with little or no apparent concerns about the 26 players named yesterday.
"Hendo is fine," said coach Alan Gaffney of their Irish and Lions' centre, who's had an injury disrupted campaign, but played a full half (scoring a try) in the run-out against Connacht last Friday after missing the Irish A side's win over their English counterparts.
"There's not a problem with Hendo at all. He came through the 40 minutes the other night very well. He's trained this week without a hitch," said Gaffney, who added: "Everyone's well, so I think it's probably the only time in the year when we've got everybody on board except David Wallace, John O'Neill and Mike Prendergast. We're all ship-shape."
Gaffney will be mindful that Henderson hasn't had a lot of game time, given he's only started four competitive matches for Munster this season, as well as one A game, though he's also had four matches with Young Munster and, of course, did make a typically striking impact as a replacement in the Celtic League final with his long-range try. Holland, by comparison, has been something of a mainstay, starting a dozen games for Munster this season, including their last eight competitive outings.
On the one hand, there will be a sense of loyalty then to the established team, especially the starting line-up that began and finished Munster's remarkable escapology against Gloucester which earned them this tilt at the two-time reigning champions.
On the other hand, facing a win-or-bust end to their competitive season, there'll be a temptation to play what might be considered Munster's strongest hand.
In any event, there will be two probable changes to that line-up given Paul O'Connell and the hamstrung Anthony Horgan are now back in harness.
"Anthony Horgan has come back very well. He's had a few games with Con, and the games he's played with us he hasn't suffered any twinge at all. Obviously, early in the comeback he was a bit wary but now he's playing with full confidence."
Leicester looked close to their best when they ran up 25 unanswered points in the first 38 minutes against Sale last week and then slowed Sale's rucking game down in closing out the game, as only they can do, in the second-half.
"Leicester have a way of playing the game which is very much them," said Gaffney, who cited their greater experience and winning attitude compared to Gloucester.
"I don't think it's changed a hell of a lot in a long period of time. It's a well-proven formula and a very successful one. They can play a wide, expansive game, and their ball retention is something they're very good at, but they also have the ability to play the game through the middle. They're an all-round side who can adapt to the circumstances."
Leicester themselves could choose from ex-Munsterman Tom Tierney, Jamie Hamilton and Austin Healey, and Gaffney wouldn't try to second guess their selection.
"Welford Road will be a cauldron," said the Munster coach, with the experience of Leinster's defeat there at the same stage two seasons ago.
Talk of revenge missions or backhanders in reference to last year's final defeat has seemingly been outlawed.
"That hasn't been addressed at all," said Gaffney. "Seriously, it hasn't reared its head once. The boys know what they have to do."
