RUGBY:Declan Kidney yesterday announced a 28-man Munster squad for their Heineken European Cup quarter-final against Llanelli next weekend, although the inclusion of a number of players, who were unavailable against Ulster in Ravenhill last week, would suggest Kidney is hopeful they will have recovered by the time the team takes to the pitch under floodlights at Stradey Park on Friday night.

Given Munster won that match against Ulster without their international players as well as a handful of injured bodies, there can be few causes for complaint.

Certainly the news yesterday that Toyota was to renew its sponsorship of the province for another five years would have kept smiles on some faces. The car manufacturer is to extend its backing to include the Munster senior and under-20 sides and amounts to a €5 million investment between 2007 and 2010.

In addition to the basic sponsorship fee, Toyota's on-going commitment to Munster Rugby takes account of bonus payments based on performances in the European Cup and provides for continued investment in general marketing, communications and advertising.

In the short term, though, Kidney hopes to include a few names that were not in Belfast, among them Chris Wyatt, Barry Murphy, Shaun Payne, John Kelly, Mick O'Driscoll, Anthony Horgan, Freddie Pucciariello, Anthony Foley. Paul O'Connell is definitely out with a longer-term injury.

Oddly, it will be the first European Cup meeting between the sides, although through the Celtic League, the two teams know each other's game inside out at this stage. Munster are not in the dark as to what exactly Llanelli backrow and captain Simon Easterby will bring to the match.

"Simon is such an unsung hero and is in the form of his life at the moment so stopping him doing what he does best will be crucial to our chances of winning," said flanker David Wallace.

Leinster have less injury concerns as they prepare for their visit to Wasps, although, while they have been forced to hit London without their hugely influential but hamstrung captain, Brian O'Driscoll, Wasps skipper Lawrence Dallaglio has been speculating about how his side have been so strong at home in Adams Park this season and of the panache Leinster will bring.

"Our home form has been outstanding this year but Leinster are an absolute quality side. They have international players all over the pitch and are packed full of superstars and players who are bang in form. It is going to be a very exciting game."

Like most who have watched Leinster play and most recently saw how Ireland ran the ball in their final Six Nations Championship game in Italy, Shaun Edwards, the Wasps head coach, believes the attacking flair of the backs will be the biggest threat. His side however, will go into the game reasonably fresh as they had no match last weekend.

"I don't think anyone has really shackled the Leinster backs in the tournament to date - or in the Six Nations," said Edwards. "It's probably the biggest test of our defence since we met Toulouse in the European Cup final in 2004. Our defence is a little bit different to most and it can be a bit aggressive so we know that we have to be on our mettle against possibly the most potent back line in the world. Leinster also have a strong pack but if we execute our game plan well and play to our potential we will be in there with a strong chance."

Munster Squad

Backs (13):C Cullen, B Carney, I Dowling, A Horgan, T Halstead, E Hickey, J Kelly, L Mafi, B Murphy, J Manning, R O'Gara (Capt), T O'Leary, P Stringer.

Forwards (15):T Buckley, J Flannery, A Foley, A Horan, J Hayes, D Leamy, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, J O'Sullivan, F Pucciarello, A Quinlan, D Ryan, F Sheehan, C Wyatt, D Wallace.