HEINEKEN CUP: John O'Sullivanbraves the biting cold in Limerick as Munster prepare for their Heineken Cup game against old rivals the Ospreys on Sunday

MUNSTER ONCE again availed of the all-weather pitch facilities at Garryowen rugby club to fine tune their preparations for Sunday’s Heineken Cup match against the Ospreys at Thomond Park. Tuesday’s snowfall in Limerick was modest by east coast standards but not the biting cold, the players enveloped from head to toe.

Coach Tony McGahan has until tomorrow lunchtime to reveal his hand in selection terms and for arguably the first time this season there will be some contention in arriving at the starting line-up; even without considering the injured quartet of Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan, Ian Dowling and Felix Jones. The Australian admitted: “It’s the toughest selection of the year.

“Since round one, this is our strongest panel. It will be the difficult to mix and match and find the best combinations for the weekend.”

It’s a conundrum which he must solve as the Irish province embrace successive matches against the Welsh franchise. The permutations, factoring in potential bonus points, ensure no team is guaranteed a nap hand when the dust settles at the final whistle in the Liberty Stadium on Saturday week.

Each match must be approached as a single entity but given the relatively short turnaround, there is a requirement to front load the analysis this week to incorporate both matches.

McGahan explained: “You have to look at each match on its own merits. You need to work so hard leading into the match to make sure analysis is done for the game and that it can carry through to next week.

“But it’s most important to get the first result right. We’re at home first up so there’s a lot of pressure on us. You have to make sure you win your games at home and don’t have to chase and catch up points. So if we can get the result this week, we can turn up the heat on them next week. Whether you’re away or home, to get the first win is really important.”

Munster are well versed with the threat the Ospreys pose given the regularity with which the sides meet in the Magners League and the Welsh side’s double victory last season in that tournament, which included a victory at Thomond Park.

“I think when you hear the Heineken Cup, regardless of who you’re playing, that brings an immediate call of attention. There is that familiarity because we play them twice a year, and we played them three times a couple of years back. We understand that that can lead to a little bit of a comfortable feeling.

“But we’ve only played them once this season and we’re going in fresh and really aware of their current form. We know what they did last season, turning over us twice. That’s still fresh in our memory and we’re keen to undertake the job this season.”

McGahan believes there is less relevance in terms of Sunday’s encounter to Munster’s thumping win over the Ospreys in a European quarter-final a couple of seasons ago. He pointed out: “That was a couple of years ago now and both sides have moved on since then, players have moved on and the game has changed itself.

“It’s there but we certainly won’t use it as a reference point good or bad; whether they do is down to their own motivational tools, I guess. They beat us in Thomond Park and that’s our reference point really.

“They’ve won in Ireland elsewhere last year, winning the Magners League final and beating Leinster. They’re travelling with no fear of coming here so we have to make sure we’re in a good frame of mind.”

The Ospreys victory in Limerick last season was achieved on foot of a more structured approach that cherished territory rather than their more traditional expansive patterns. Munster’s indiscipline allowed the Welsh side’s outhalf Dan Biggar to be a pivotal figure, something McGahan will have focused upon ahead of this Sunday’s match.

“They’re probably tightened up a little bit but they still retain the flamboyant approach that they can play. That’s very evident in their Welsh psyche; they’re a very skilful player group and their environment projects that. They kick the ball, though, a lot more than sides give them credit for but they can play when the opportunity presents itself.

“You have to be careful with your kicking game. You can’t be giving them any loose kicks whatsoever. They have the ability with the back three to beat you on the kick back or get good numbers on the shift from a kick. That’s important. But they also have a pack that’s getting a steel edge, with (Jerry) Collins etc.”

Paul O’Connell’s return to Munster colours as a replacement last weekend against Cardiff was a huge fillip for the squad but as the Munster coach pointed out in the aftermath he won’t be rushed back into a starting role. He reiterated those thoughts yesterday.

“Nothing’s changed, we’ve always had a long-term plan for Paul to integrate him back in the squad and more importantly ensure he completes the season because he’s been out for an awful long time.

“You need to make sure he’s here for long-term and does what’s best for himself and the team. We’ve some terrific players in that position so we’re happy making that call.”

McGahan confirmed a 28-man squad that includes Donnacha Ryan, returning after suspension.

MUNSTER SQUAD: Wian du Preez, Damien Varley, Mike Sherry, Darragh Hurley, John Hayes, Tony Buckley, Dave Ryan, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, James Coughlan, David Wallace, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, Tomás O'Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Paul Warwick, Johne Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley, Sam Tuitupou, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett.