TOMMY O’DONNELL COULD be in contention to play for Munster in next weekend’s return Champions Cup clash against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.
O’Donnell is set to play for the first time in six weeks tomorrow night after being named in the back-row for the Munster ‘A’ side as they resume their defence of the British & Irish Cup against Bedford Blues at Musgrave Park [7.45pm].
The 30-year-old’s last appearance came in the southern province’s Guinness Pro14 defeat to Connacht at the end of October. Having been named in the Ireland squad for the November internationals, the Tipperary native missed the games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina after spraining the AC joint in his shoulder in training.
Munster’s first team host Leicester at Thomond Park on Saturday, before playing the reverse fixture against the Aviva Premiership side a week on Sunday.
In O’Donnell’s absence, Chris Cloete has impressed in the Munster number seven shirt in recent weeks. The South African flanker was man of the match in the win against Zebre a fortnight ago and scored his first try in last weekend’s defeat of Ospreys.
Munster A (v Bedford Blues): Stephen Fitzgerald; Jack Power, David Johnston (captain), Alex McHenry, Liam Coombes; Bill Johnston, James Hart; Joey Conway, Mike Sherry, TBC; Fineen Wycherley, Sean McCarthy; Sean O’Connor, Tommy O’Donnell, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Duncan Casey, Bryan O’Connor, John Foley, Jack O’Sullivan, John Poland, Conor Fitzgerald, Dave McCarthy.
Got to go full guns. We can rest players if we make the semis.
@Farz S: haha
@Farz S: ha! Good craic!
McCloskey 23
@Gary Galligan: ireland by 24
I think Ross Byrne will get the bench this time
It’s all about just winning. A good kicker might be the difference
@Paul Harvey: looks like Ross is plan C.
@Paul Harvey: Crowley is a winner who makes his kicks so you’ll need to come up with something else
Realistically, in 7 days, we take on the All Blacks. So, l would start most of the bench. Our front row bomb squad comes on when needed. Beard for Pete @ 6. Conan for Dorris, who replaces JVF after 50 mins. Crowley covers plays a bit at 12. JOB to start or at least have 23 the shirt. Scotland might have patches, especially the wingers, but likely to lose by 20+ points.
@D Farrell: You’re dead, right!
@D Farrell: it’s that kind of arrogance we were seeing in 2007 and 2019
Healy for Kilcoyne
@Anton phelan: go watch a Leinster match. Some of us want to support Ireland instead
Would love to see Jimmy O’ Brien get the 23 shirt and a well deserved world cup cap. His versatility suits this fixture.
@Gos9: in what sense or why this fixture in particular ?
Start Finlay with Furlong on the bench. Thoughts??