Munster beef up for the visit of Aironi

THERE was a more familiar ring about the Munster squad when they named their 27 for their first competitive game of the new season this Wednesday at the University of Limerick.

It could be starting roles for veterans Marcus Horan and John Hayes (both of whom are starting their 12th season in the famous red jersey) while the inclusion of Mick O'Driscoll, Denis Leamy, Doug Howlett, Donnacha Ryan and Peter Stringer indicates that Munster mean business when they meet Aironi in their opening Magners League game in Cork on Saturday (7.30pm).

Munster Squad (27) D Hurley, F Jones, D Barnes, D Howlett, S Tuitupou, J Murphy, I Dowling, P Warwick, S Deasy, D Williams, P Stringer, W du Preez, Dave Ryan, M Horan, J Hayes, T Buckley, D Fogarty, D Varley, M O'Driscoll, I Nagle, B Holland, D Ryan, N Ronan, A Quinlan, P O'Mahony, T O’Donnell, D Leamy.