Munster in position to name strong squad

Irish lock Paul O'Connell is included in Munster's squad for their Magners League game against Edinburgh at Murrayfield tomorrow evening. The game also marks the return from long-term injury of John O'Sullivan.

Number eight O'Sullivan has been out of action since the opening game of the season against the US Eagles, while O'Connell makes his second appearance in a Munster jersey having played for 60 minutes in the A game last weekend without any adverse reaction to his back.

Also returning from lay-off is Ian Dowling, who injured a knee in the game against Connacht in late December, while several more of the Ireland squad members are also included.

Scrumhalf Peter Stringer, backrow Alan Quinlan, secondrow Mick O'Driscoll and prop Tony Buckley, all of whom were peripheral to requirements on Eddie O'Sullivan's Irish team are also named in the squad of 26.

Buckley has not now played a full competitive match since Munster faced Connacht in the Magners League on December 27th of last year.

The starting line-up and replacements will be named today prior to the team departure for Scotland.

MUNSTER: Denis Hurley, S Payne, D Howlett, B Carney, I Dowling, K Lewis, R Tipoki, L Mafi, J Manning, P Warwick, G Hurley, P Stringer, T O'Leary, Darragh Hurley, F Pucciariello, T Buckley, F Sheahan, D Fogarty, D Ryan,P O'Connell, M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, J Coughlan, N Ronan, A Foley, J O'Sullivan.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times