The IRUPA World Cup player review survey will start next week and is expected to be completed by the end of November. The results of the questionnaire and recommendations on how to avoid areas of criticism in future will be forwarded to the IRFU for inclusion in their ongoing internal review.
The survey will be conducted by an independent group as occurred two years ago when the players' union commissioned a player-welfare survey. It is not yet clear if the report will be available for public consumption.
The English RFU's anonymous review questionnaire was presented to players in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup final. This became public knowledge in an extract from Lawrence Dallaglio's autobiography, in the Sunday Times, which was scathing about coach Brian Ashton and the preparations for the World Cup. Dallaglio also stated he wrote his name on top of the document.
The Wasps player has, however, since apologised for his attack on Ashton. " I didn't set out in this book to embarrass anyone, to make bad comments about other people, and if that's happened I apologise," he said.
Meanwhile, the Munster Branch have released a further 1,500 10-year tickets for the redeveloped Thomond Park. They can be bought online at newlimerickrugbystadium.com for €5,500.
The tickets guarantee a prime location in the East Stand between both 22s, three Heineken European Cup group games, four Magners Celtic League games, the option to purchase tickets for other representative matches at Thomond, the opportunity to purchase tickets for other home games at a larger ground and first refusal when the scheme is extended.
The €40-million redevelopment will transform the stadium into a modern one with a capacity of 26,000. It will reopen next autumn.
Meanwhile, Ronan O'Gara returns at outhalf for Munster's Celtic League game against Edinburgh at Musgrave Park tomorrow. This means Paul O'Connell (back problem) remains the only Munster international not to return ahead of next week's European Cup opener away to London Wasps.
Peter Stringer is named as captain in the absence of O'Connell and Anthony Foley despite O'Gara's status as provincial vice-captain.
"Peter has a few games under his belt while this is Ronan's first game back," explained coach Declan Kidney.
"He (Stringer) is one of our natural leaders so in the circumstances the choice was fairly straightforward really."
Cork Constitution's Denis Hurley comes in at fullback for Shaun Payne for his first start of the season after recovering from an ankle injury sustained against the US Eagles in pre-season.
Kieran Lewis comes in for Rua Tipoki at outside centre, Freddie Pucciariello for Marcus Horan at loosehead, Jerry Flannery for Frankie Sheahan at hooker and Denis Leamy for Foley at number eight. Sheahan has avoided suspension despite a citing after last week's draw against the Glasgow Warriors being upheld by an IRFU disciplinary panel last Wednesday. It was not deemed to be a red-card offence.
MUNSTER (v Edinburgh): D Hurley; B Carney, K Lewis, L Mafi, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer (capt); F Pucciariello, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: T Buckley, F Sheahan, A Foley, AN Other, T O'Leary, P Warwick, R Tipoki.
