NEWS:MUNSTER hope to avoid further disruption for supporters seeking entry to the newly-developed Thomond Park when the Sale Sharks go to Limerick in January by requesting the ERC and Sky Sports not to schedule another Friday evening kick-off.
A combination of traffic congestion and a lack of car-parking facilities resulted in delays for several thousand of the 23,500 crowd attending the 19-17 victory over Montauban. This was further exaggerated by "teething problems" with the new turnstile system.
"I think that's the first European Friday match at Thomond Park and from a crowd point of view it is always going to be difficult to get through the city and find parking at that time of the week," said a Munster spokesman.
The other home pool match, against Clermont Auvergne, has already been fixed for Saturday afternoon, December 13th.
Besides concerns about gaining entry, Munster are monitoring injuries to winger Ian Dowling (dead leg) and Rua Tipoki (thigh strain) ahead of the away fixture against Sale in Edgeley Park this Sunday. Both are expected to be included in the Munster squad to be released today. Tipoki was replaced in the first half by Barry Murphy, who crossed for their only try within two minutes of his arrival while Paul Warwick came in for Dowling.
With London Wasps en route to the RDS this Saturday, Leinster's main concerns are at scrumhalf where Chris Whitaker was replaced in Edinburgh by Chris Keane while further rehabilitation is required on the neck injury that ruled Malcolm O'Kelly out of Saturday's 27-16 victory.
Ulster coach Matt Williams was yesterday awaiting results from knee scans on winger Clinton Schifcofske and flanker Stephen Ferris ahead of their trip to play Harlequins at The Stoop on Saturday.
Perhaps the most intriguing game of the weekend is the visit of London Irish to the Sportsground in Galway. Connacht coach Michael Bradley will give prop Brett Wilkinson (shoulder) and centre Mel Deane (hamstring) as much time as possible to recover from injuries sustained in the impressive 30-12 win in Dax last Friday. Andy Dunne, Keith Matthews and Mike Roberts should also come back into contention.
Club captain Bob Casey was the only Irish qualified player in the London Irish side that beat Rovigo 78-3 over the weekend.
