Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a provisional 23-man squad for the eagerly anticipated clash against the All Blacks next Tuesday. And McGahan may yet be able to bolster his selection if and when players are released from international duty.
As it stands, Munster's Kiwi triumvirate of Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki are all in line to face their compatriots in the contest. There is no place, however, for Denis Hurley who picked up a knee injury during a practice match earlier this week.
McGahan is not likely to find out until Sunday whether he can add to his squad, a situation he understands entirely.
"Right now these are the players we have training at the moment while the autumn internationals are taking place," he explained.
"Obviously those games take precedence and we have to just wait and see what the international management require in terms of players following on from the All Blacks game with another international (against Argentina) to face into."
At Ravenhill this evening, Ulster crushed Portugal 62-2 with centre Darren Cave grabbing four of his side's ten tries.
Munster squad
Federico Pucciariello, Timmy Ryan, Dave Ryan, Frank Sheahan, Denis Fogarty, Donncha Ryan, Mark Melbourne, James Coughlan, John O'Sullivan, Niall Ronan, Justin Melck, Billy Holland, Barry Murphy, Kieran Lewis, Brian Carney, Anthony Horgan, Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki, Paul Warwick, Jeremy Manning, Conor Murray, Mike Prendergast
