MUNSTER WILL TRAVEL to France later in the week with a squad approaching full-strength and it could not come at a better time.

Rob Penney’s side play Racing Metro at the Stade de France on Saturday and will be hoping to replicate the perfect record that they achieved in the pool stages last season.

Racing, coached by Pierre Berbizier, have started the Top 14 season in a similar manner to Munster and currently lie seventh in the table.

While Munster were cursing the striking off of a late Casey Laulala try for a forward pass in late in their 30-21 defeat by Leinster, the French side were  reflecting on a 16-12 loss to Montpellier.

Munster, however, are boosted by an injury list that is shortening as the intensity of a dual campaign season ramps up.

Good news on big names

Donncha O’Callaghan limped off after 49 minutes of the Leinster game with a hamstring strain. Munster announced that the lock had a scan on Monday and ‘indications are he will be in the squad for the Racing Metro game’.

The province also expect to have prop Marcus Horan back in the mix, as well as backs Johne Murphy and Luke O’Dea, who featured for Shannon in the Ulster Bank League on Sunday.

Hooker Mike Sherry was another victim of the less than stable Aviva surface on Saturday and left the stadium on crutches after twisting his ankles. Munster confirmed that this move was merely a precaution.

Full-back Felix Jones is ‘back to full fitness’ but Saturday’s away date may be a game too soon for a return. Likewise, Paul O’Connell is back in full training but his realistic return would be the Heineken Cup tie against Edinburgh at Thomond Park on 21 October.

A decision on the squad inclusion of Niall Ronan will be made later in the week after he is observed in training.

Munster ‘A’ start off the defence of their British & Irish Cup in the less than glamorous Brickfields Ground when they take on Plymouth Albion.