Munster yesterday announced a 26-strong squad from which the team to play Castres Olympique in Stade Pierre-Antoine will be selected on Thursday following a run out in France. Johnny Watterson reports
Not included in the panel is openside flanker Denis Leamy, who earned his first Ireland cap at Lansdowne Road against the USA just over two weeks ago.
Leamy, who has had a stellar start to the season with Munster, required two stitches to his ear following last week's Celtic League match against Edinburgh.
"The two stitches are in the lower part of his ear. It didn't look bad but is in a very sensitive area," said a Munster official.
Gaffney once again has his Ireland contingent back in harness, although, with a break on Monday for the international players coming after a four-week intensive training month, including three international matches, two of them bruising, the preparation has not been ideal.
While only John Hayes, Anthony Foley and Paul O'Connell played in all three Tests, Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara resting for the game against the USA, the week's run in has been severely truncated.
John Kelly has not been included in the squad due to an ankle injury sustained with the Irish squad but Anthony Horgan has been named as one of the 12 backs travelling. Horgan picked up a hamstring injury with Ireland and Gaffney is waiting to see how that improves during the week.
Paul Burke is also included in the travelling party following doubts over his fitness after he hurt his neck playing last weekend in the Celtic League. A scan on Monday cleared any doubts hanging over the out half.
One of the coach's toughest decisions will be what three back-row players he chooses from the four available, all of them quality. Foley, Jim Williams, Alan Quinlan and David Wallace are all included in the squad.
"Castres are going strong in the French Championship and it is going to be extremely difficult for us over there on Friday night.
"I am not making any excuses but we only get our international players back tomorrow (Tuesday) and we travel to France on Wednesday so it is not the greatest preparation for a huge match," said Gaffney earlier this week.
Both Ulster, who play Stade Francais on Saturday and Leinster, who face Bourgoin in Dublin, also on Saturday, will announce their squads today. Leinster have a number of injury concerns, not least of all Gordon D'Arcy, who is an unlikely starter and number eight Victor Costello, who cracked ribs playing against Bath earlier in the season.
Connacht, who face Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup round two, first leg at the Sportsground believe that former Lions and Scotland outhalf Gregor Townsend could be the big threat to their hopes this week.
"They are relatively new to the top 16 but are currently 10th in the table and last weekend had a great result when they beat Biarritz Olympique 18-7," said coach Michael Bradley.
"They have got Gregor Townsend at fly half and, although he is now 31-years-old, I have always rated him highly. He pulls the strings for Montpellier and has a nice blend of kicking and passing in his game. We will be getting a better idea of them over the next few days but they are a very competent side and strong maulers.
"As the first leg is in Galway it is important we make the most of home advantage and win on Saturday and get a sound start to round two by taking a psychological advantage into the second leg in France the following Friday.
"As far as Connacht is concerned, we played well in our win over Newport Gwent Dragons. We were confident in what we did and created plenty of chances. What was a bit disappointing was that we know we could have done even better as we missed a number of scoring opportunities."
MUNSTER: Backs: (12) P Burke; C Cullen; P Devlin; R Henderson; A Horgan ; J Holland; M Lawlor; M Mullins, R O'Gara; S Payne; M Prendergast; P Stringer.
Forwards: (14) J Blaney; A Foley; J Flannery; J Hayes; M Horan; T Hogan; S Keogh; G McIlwham; P O'Connell; D O'Callaghan; A Quinlan; F Sheahan; D Wallace; J Williams.
