MUNSTER captain Paul O’Connell could yet feature for Munster this weekend against Harlequins in the Amlin Challenge Cup, despite not even being named in the initial match squad. O’Connell has been nursing an ankle injury he picked up in the Leinster game on April 2nd, but this week the former Lions captain took a full part in training. However, the, ‘is he in, is he out?’ saga took another twist this Wednesday afternoon as O’Connell was omitted from the initially named, 27 man squad.
Speaking this week ahead of the game, Munster coach Tony Mc Gahan said, “The squad named is who was fully fit after training this week. Paul’s recovery is ‘wait and see’ at the moment. He could play some part, but we will assess that later in the week. We will see how he trains later in the week. It will be a big stretch to get Paul fit for this week.”
Munster face the London side Harlequins this Saturday at 1pm in Thomond Park. The English Premiership side is coached by Limerick native and former Irish international, Conor O’Shea. The RTE pundit’s side will be more than a match for Munster. With household names such as Ugo Monye, Nick Evans, Danny Care and Nick Easter, defence will be key for Munster on Saturday after their ‘shoot out’ against Brive.
“Defence is the cornerstone to all wins and to all teams in the later stages of any combination. Quins have a strong nine and 10 partnership, was well as good centres and wings. We struggled last weekend in the scrum, so we have plenty to work on for this weekend”, added Mc Gahan.
‘Quins’ qualified for the semi final by defeating London Wasps 32-33 in the quarter final, while Munster defeated Brive 42-37. With those scores in mind, this weekend’s game looks set to be an open and flowing affair.
Munster will look to play a team as close to last weekend’s side that faced the Ospreys. Jones, Earls and Howlett will be the back three. Mc Gahan has been tinkering with his 12 and 13 now for some weeks, so that is still up in the air. Warwick, Mafi, Tuitupou and Murphy will all be looking for two spots.
Fans can expect Murray and O’Gara to sit behind a pack which may or may not include O’Connell. Buckley, Varley and Du Preez should start up front, while O’Callaghan, Wallace, Leamy and Ryan will partner ‘Paulie’ or Mick O’Driscoll.
One name on the program which will instil fear into Munster players and fans alike is the name, Romain Poite. The French whistler blower has not enamoured himself with Munster fans in the past, so expect the English and Irish sides to struggle with the Frenchman’s interpretation of the breakdown and the scrums. A treat in store indeed.
On a final note, Munster have won eight of their last eight games. The Amlin Challenge Cup may not be the ultimate goal for all involved, but they still hand out a cup at the end of it. It’s well worth remembering too, that should Munster win on Saturday, Cardiff awaits for the final against Stade Francais or Clermont. Should Munster win that, then Connacht would be part of the Heineken Cup for next season. What a feat that would be.
Whether O’Connell togs out or not, Munster are favourites to win this home tie. Mc Gahan has the final words.
“If you play your best for 80 minutes, then that’s all we can look for. We will take this as one more 80 minutes”.
