Munster’s attempt to be the first side to win the Celtic League twice took a major blow last night when they lost their second away match in succession against Cardiff Blues. The Blues ran out comfortable 33 points to 20 winners.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney has shifted the focus away from his future and back to the rugby by naming his side for the trip to Cardiff in the Celtic League on Saturday.
Alan Gaffney had put an end to the rumours circulating about his future with the province by confirming that he will not be seeking to extend his contract when it expires at the end of this season. Gaffney joined the province 3 years ago when Declan Kidney departed for the Irish set-up and since then has been highly regarded.
Munster have today confirmed that Munster and Irish International Denis Leamy will be out of action for 3 weeks due to the hamstring injury he picked up last Sunday against Glasgow in the Celtic League.
The ERC have confirmed as expected that Munster’s Heineken Cup Quarter final will take place in San Sebastian, Spain on April 3rd.
John Kelly will finally return from injury for Munster on Sunday against Glasgow in Thomond Park. Kelly who picked up an injury while training last October with the Ireland squad has been unable to shake it since then.
Biarritz Olympique have received agreement from the relevant authorities in San Sebastian to site their Heineken Cup quarter-final with Munster at the Anoesta Stadium. Both the ERC and the French Rugby Union have to sanction the decision but this is expected to be a formality.
Biarritz have been given more time to work on their proposal to move their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster to Spanish soccer club Real Sociedad’s ground the ERC announced today. A decision on the location of the match was supposed to be issued today with the ERC setting today as the deadline but they’ve extended this to allow Biarritz to get an increased capacity ground so as to accomodate the expected thousands of Munster fans who will travel for the match.
Munster’s chances of claiming the Celtic League title took a huge knock this evening when they lost by 32 points to 17 against Llanelli.
Munster went into this evening in second place 5 points behind the Ospreys but the Ospreys play later this evening and could stretch their lead to 10 points by the end of this evening.
Munster have named a strong side including their Internationals for the trip to face Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday. The match will be the last attempt for some of the players to impress Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan ahead of the Six Nations opener on Sunday week.