Mcgahan holds big guns in reserve

MUNSTER may be facing what he considers the best side in Europe but Tony Mcgahan has no intention of risking his trio of injured Test stars against Leinster on Saturday. While the European champions have been bolstered by the return of Leo Cullen and Brian O’driscoll, the signing of Brad Thorn and the safe return of 10 Ireland internationals, Mcgahan must plan without captain Paul O’connell (knee), Donnacha Ryan (shoulder) and Conor Murray (knee) for the Thomond Park tie. With Ryan and O’connell unavailable Munster have only two specialist locks to pick, Donncha O’callaghan and Mick O’driscoll. Murray’s injury means London Irish-bound Tomás O’leary is sure to start on Saturday. Leinster’s visit to Limerick is always a highlight of the rugby season but Mcgahan (right) admitted the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster seven days later was a factor in his decision. ‘I suppose Paul and Conor have probably been the most notable injuries through the Six Nations campaign. Donnacha has had a bit of a shoulder issue for the last two weeks of the Six Nations and certainly the way he’s presented last week or this week there’s no chance of risking him at this stage with obviously the Ulster quarter

final in hand,’ said the outgoing Munster coach. ‘We would never put our players in any position to be injured or in a position where they couldn’t play at their fullest, so from that perspective it certainly wasn’t a consideration.’ Munster, enjoying a two-day stint in Fota Island Resort, were boosted by the news that Peter Stringer has signed a one-year contract extension that will see him return to the province after his loan spell with Newcastle ends in May. Second-row Dave Foley has also signed a one-year contract. Trailing their great rivals by eight points with just four games left, Mcgahan admitted first place in the PRO12 is beyond Munster, who will avoid a play-off against Leinster, who are ‘in a very strong place’. ‘I just think they have an excellent mix of all-round performance with regards to their squad, they have a strong coaching group and they are certainly producing results on the pitch,’ said Mcgahan.

MIKEY STAFFORD