Gerry Thornley profiles the Munster XV that will take to the field tomorrow to face Leinster in the Heineken European Cup semi-final at Lansdowne Road.
1 Federico Pucciariello
Munster Caps: 19.
Munster Debut: v Leicester, Aug 05.
Heineken Cup Caps: 15 (Bourgoin 11, Munster 4)
This Season: Played: 14 (+5). Points: 20 (4 tries).
The Argentinian-born Azzurri prop has been an excellent signing, capable of packing down on either side, thereby providing quality cover and easing the load on Hayes. Has settled in with ease, and quite skilful and lively in the loose with it.
2 Jerry Flannery
Munster Caps: 43.
Munster Debut: v Llanelli, Sep 03.
Heineken Cup Caps: 8.
This Season: Played - 13 (+5). Points - 20 (4 tries).
A very physical package, and assuredly Munster and Ireland's find of the season, making light of Shane Byrne and Frankie Sheahan's absence. Benefiting from club rugby and a stint with Connacht, his desire and will are Shannonesque. Quick, mobile, gritty, and his darts have been consistent.
3 John Hayes
Munster Caps: 119.
Munster Debut: v Edinburgh, Aug 97.
Heineken Cup Caps: 61.
This Season: Played - 14 (+1). Points - 0.
A true bulwark for province and country, the Bull's value will be most keenly appreciated when he's gone. Not a destructive scrummager, no longer the ballcarrier of yore, but survived an early season crisis of confidence to re-emerge as one of the main physical planks in Munster's lineout and mauls.
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
Munster Caps: 86.
Munster Debut: v Edinburgh, Aug 98.
Heineken Cup Caps: 35.
This Season: Played - 16 (+2). Points - 5 (1 try).
One of the few success stories in NZ, a post-Lions dip in form was arrested with a more focused work-rate which is often underrated. Flourishing with regular combat, as evidenced by a tour de force against Perpignan when also getting his mits on the ball and charging at the opposition.
5 Paul O'Connell
Munster Caps: 63.
Munster Debut: v Bath, Aug 2001.
Heineken Cup Caps: 30.
This Season: Played - 8. Points - 25 5 tries).
Outstanding, ultra-professional talent who has long since reached magnificent fruition - and there's more to come. The lineout expertise, mauling, ball-carrying and offloading are one thing, the phenomenal presence quite another. To get past Munster, Leinster must first get past this colossus.
6 Denis Leamy
Munster Caps: 53.
Munster Debut: v Wasps, Aug 01.
Heineken Cup Caps: 12.
This Season: Played - 16. Points - 15 3 tries).
Carved out of Munster stone, an innately aggressive forward who has toned down a tendency for losing himself in a red mist. Dynamic, ever-willing ball-carrier and versatile backrower with bear-like hands for enveloping opponents and pilfering ball. If he isn't already, Leamy will become a Munster legend.
7 David Wallace
Munster Caps: 117.
Munster Debut: v Edinburgh, Aug 97.
Heineken Cup Caps: 45.
This Season: Played - 16 (+2). Points - 10 (2 tries).
A resurgent campaign after a some injury-plagued years, there remains no more dynamic ballcarrying Irish forward around. Has become even more adept as an authentic, ball-stealing openside at the breakdown. If anyone is to make inroads into Leinster territory off team-mates' offloads Wallace is the man most likely.
8 Anthony Foley
Munster Caps: 162.
Munster Debut: v Edinburgh, Oct 94.
Heineken Cup Caps: 74.
This Season: Played - 19 (+2). Points - 20 (4 tries).
A Munster legend. Almost freakishly durable and consistent operator over 12 seasons, he's missed one European Cup game out of 76. Munster's most capped player and leading all-time try-scorer - with22 in this competition - he remains the brains and heartbeat of the operation.
9 Peter Stringer
Munster Caps: 110.
Munster Debut: v Ulster, Oct 98.
Heineken Cup Caps: 59.
This Season: Played - 14 (+2). Points - 0.
Now an experienced leader as well as playmaker in the prime of his career and enjoying his best season. Remarkably durable, nuggety, feisty and competitive, no one clears the ball as quickly or as accurately.
10 Ronan O'Gara
Munster Caps: 110.
Munster Debut: v Edinburgh, Aug 97.
Heineken Cup Caps: 57.
This Season: Played: 13 (+2). Points: 153 (1t, 27p, 32c, 1dg)
The best barometer of Munster's well being and an incalculable boost to have back. Wears a heavier goal-kicking and play-making role with province than country, but will look to launch runners today.
11 Ian Dowling
Munster Caps: 11.
Munster Debut: v Llanelli, Sep 05.
Heineken Cup Caps: 3.
This season: Played - 10 (+1). Points - 10 (2 tries).
Along with Murphy and, to a degree, O'Leary, Dowling has provided a breath of fresh air as a new, overdue indigenous young back - bringing an infectious enthusiasm and Shannonesque self-confidence.
12 Trevor Halstead
Munster Caps: 20.
Munster Debut: v Leicester Tigers, Aug 2005.
Heineken Cup Caps: 6.
This season: Played: 18 (+2). Points: 20 (4 tries). The six-times capped Springbok centre has assumed the midfield target-man role from Rob Henderson. Though hands let him down against Perpignan, he is a dynamic ball-carrier and can pass out of the tackle.
13 John Kelly
Munster Caps: 134.
Munster Debut: v Cardiff, Sep 97.
Heineken Cup Caps: 59.
This season: Played - 18 (+1). Points - 30 (6 tries).
Remarkable consistency over nine seasons. A clever all-rounder who augments good decisions on the ball with a big work-rate. Return to outside centre always looked Munster's best option without Barry Murphy.
14 Anthony Horgan
Munster Caps: 125.
Munster Debut: v Edinburgh, Aug 97.
Heineken Cup Caps: 53.
This season: Played - 12. Points - 25 (5 tries).
Unlucky with injuries over the years, while form and confidence can fluctuate, as evidenced by the fallout to his testing time against the All Blacks and ensuing omission. Still, he's been a quality finisher.
15 Shaun Payne
Munster Caps: 70.
Munster Debut: v Leinster, Oct 03.
Heineken Cup Caps: 41 (Swansea 22, Munster 19).
This season: Played - 18 (+1). Points - 15 (3 tries).
Pound for pound the South African-born, Irish qualified fullback has been one of Munster's best signings. Versatile, reliable, consistent, and durable, he's given three seasons of excellent service.
