Rugby:Munster coach Tony McGahan has kept faith with the squad that lost to Leinster at Aviva Stadium last weekend in the PRO 12 League after the players assembled in CIT in Cork today
McGahan named an extended 29 strong group for the opening Heineken Cup game against Northampton Saints in Thomond Park on Saturday (KO: 6pm).
It is the same squad from which the side to play Leinster was selected with the exception of Keith Earls, who damaged a medial ligament in the match and will be out of action for 4-6 weeks.
Not considered because of injury are David Wallace (knee), Felix Jones (ankle), Jerry Flannery (back/calf), Earls (knee), Mike Sherry (ankle), Darragh Hurley (back), Peter Borlase (back), Dave O’Callaghan (knee), Sean Scanlon (neck), Ivan Dineen (knee), Declan Cusack (jaw), Troy Smith (knee).
Brian McLaughlin has named his preliminary Ulster squad ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup Pool 4 clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne at Ravenhill, (kick-off 3.40pm).
Former Springbok captain, Johann Muller (forearm), Irish flanker Stephen Ferris (ankle) and international prop Tom Court (knee) are all included among the 32 players and all remain in contention to play.
All three players were doubtful after Ulster successful win over Connacht last weekend in the PRO12 league.
Ulster secured a comfortable 22-3 home win over Connacht on Saturday, with Ferris and Rory Best making their first appearances of the season. All Black prop John Afoa also made an impressive 60 minute debut in that game, dominating the scrum at appearing prominently in the loose.
Clermont have recruited heavily in the summer and despite having 12 players involved in the World Cup, they currently occupy second spot in the Top 14, just one point adrift of Toulouse.
Munster Squad -M Horan, W du Preez, BJ Botha, J Hayes, S Archer, D Varley, D Fogarty, D Ryan, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, B Holland, P O'Mahony, N Ronan, J Coughlan, D Leamy, C Murray, T O'Leary, P Stringer, D Williams, R O'Gara, I Keatley, S Deasy, J Murphy, D Howlett, D Barnes, W Chambers, L Mafi, D Hurley.
Ulster- Forwards:Paddy McAllister, Callum Black, Tom Court, John Afoa, Adam Macklin, Andi Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Michael McComish, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack. Backs:Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Craig Gilroy, Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Adam D'Arcy
