Munster make four changes from the side that beat Connacht for tomorrow night's Celtic League clash with Newport at Musgrave Park, a game that will be shown live on TG4 (7.35 p.m.). John Hayes is recalled to the front row in place of Martin Cahill, who may end up on the bench.
Shannon prop Marcus Horan is the favoured replacement when needed for both Hayes and Clohessy but a shoulder injury may prevent him from taking his place on the bench. Cahill will deputise if Horan does not recover in time.
Mick Galwey returns to second row and captains the side. He is joined by Mick O'Driscoll with Paul O'Connell dropping to the bench as Donnacha O'Callaghan fails to make the match squad of 22.
The final alteration sees Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan restored to the back row in place of Jim Williams. The Australian is included among the replacements. Both Munster and Newport are chasing not only a place in the play-offs but also the prospect of a home quarter-final, thereby placing a premium on victory tomorrow night.
The Welsh visitors have made a late change: captain and second row Simon Raiwalui has recovered from a back injury sustained against Edinburgh and will partner Mike Voyle in the second row, having originally been named among the replacements. Newport include two 19-year-olds, Andrew Powell and Gareth Gravell.
Connacht entertain an unbeaten Neath who top Pool B with four wins at the Sportsground tomorrow evening. Injuries deprive coach Steph Nel of four players, Colm Rigney, Jim Ferris, Michael Swift and Damien Browne. Wayne Munn is on the left wing while Eoin Reddan replaces Ferris at scrumhalf. Chris Keane is added to the bench.
Paul Neville is named at blindside flanker in place of Swift with Johnny O'Connor taking the number seven jersey for his first competitive start of the season. Alan Maher and the talented Martin McPhail are among the replacements.
Leinster announced an unchanged side from that which beat Ulster for Saturday's game against Bridgend in Wales. This though will be contingent upon Gordon D'Arcy, Leo Cullen and Nathan Spooner passing fitness tests later today. D'Arcy damaged a thumb in a try-saving tackle on Niall Malone the last day. If he is ruled out then Peter McKenna will come in on the left wing.
Spooner has a hip injury so Andy Dunne stands by. If Dunne is promoted to the team then Blackrock College centre David Quinlan will join the replacements. Cullen went over on an ankle upon which he had surgery during the summer. There is a slight swelling to the outside of the joint. Trevor Brennan awaits a call with his place on the bench earmarked for Lansdowne flanker Aidan McCullen.
Leinster coach Matt Williams confirmed that his unbeaten charges are looking to close out both a place in the play-offs and a home quarter-final as quickly as possible, thereby allowing them some leeway over the last couple of games. He confirmed that the entire squad would get a run out by the time the province has taken in games against Bridgend, Pontypridd and Swansea.
He pointed out that he was disappointed with aspects of Leinster's performance against Ulster, particularly the lineout before going on to praise the work-ethic, attitude and skill levels that the players have demonstrated this season.
THE TEAMS
MUNSTER: D Crotty; J O'Neill, J Kelly, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: M Horan/M Cahill, J Blaney, P O'Connell, J Williams, M Prendergast, M Mullins, J Staunton.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; N Spooner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson. Replacements: P Coyle, G Hickie, T Brennan, L Toland, B Willis, A Dunne, A Magro.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, W Munn; E Elwood, E Reddan; D McFarland, M Uijs, P Bracken; R Frost; M McConnell (capt); P Neville, D Dillon, J O'Connor. Replacements: R McCormack, T Kearns, A Maher, J Charlie, M McHugh, C Keane, M McPhail.
