HomeSportO’Gara available as Munster face the Dragons

O’Gara available as Munster face the Dragons

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“Ronan is back with us this week and he is raring to go”, the words this week of Munster manager Shaun Payne. It has been widely reported that Declan Kidney likes his non starting players to play in the weeks between six nations games. This keeps the players fresh who have played and also gives the subs and squad members chances to prove their worth for a call up to the next Irish side. O Gara will be looking to do just that this Saturday evening against the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Also returning from Irish duty this week is Tony Buckley. The big man could be part of a front row which would include Marcus Horan and Denis Fogarty. Behind the scrum, Irish squad exile, Peter Stringer has another chance to earn a spot back in the international set up, as does the afore mentioned Ronan O Gara.

“The Magners League games that take place during the Six Nations can make or break a season”, added Shaun Payne. “We will be looking for wins in all our games before the internationals come back. We have more home games left than away so a win on Saturday would be a great starting point to help us reach the final four this season.

The stats for this weekend show that Munster fans should be optimistic. Newport Gwent Dragons are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions, however in the Magners League are winless in their last three. Munster’s only defeat in their last seven matches in all competitions was 10-15 at Ulster in the Magners League on 2 January. The last eight games that Munster have played in the Magners League have all been won by the home side on the day. Dragons have not beaten Munster since a 9-12 scoreline at Rodney Parade in the Magners League on 5 January 2007.

Munster Squad v Dragons:  Marcus Horan, Julien Brugnaut, Tony Buckley, Stephen Archer, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty, Mike Sherry, Mick O’Driscoll, Ian Nagle, Billy Holland, Alan Quinlan, Tommy O’Donnell, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Duncan Williams, Peter Stringer, Paul Warwick, Ronan O’Gara, Scott Deasy, Jean de Villiers, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling, Doug Howlett, Ciaran O’Boyle, Denis Hurley.

On a final note, Munster Rugby this week refused to comment on the Riki Flutey speculation. The only comment given was that “Munster are looking for a replacement for Jean De Villiers and several centres are under the watchful eye of the management”.

No clearer then. Back to the rumour mill it is.

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