Four changes to Munster team
Friday, 9 November 2007 15:42Munster have made four changes to the side that started the Celtic League victory over Edinburgh for this weekend's Heineken Cup Round One match against London Wasps (Saturday, 5.30pm).
The most controversial switch sees wing Ian Dowling, a star performer against Edinburgh, dropped for Anthony Horgan. Marcus Horan's return to the first XV - he comes in at loosehead prop for Federico Pucciarello - is also a talking point as Horan played for Shannon in the AIB All Ireland League last week.
As expected, new signing Rua Tipoki will play in the centre but there was some speculation as to who would go in alongside him; in the end, coach Declan Kidney has opted for Tipoki's fellow New Zealander Lifemi Mafi, who will play at 12 with Tipoki at 13. There is no place in the 22 for former Leinster wing and centre Lewis, with Dowling taking Tipoki's place on the bench.
The other big call was at full-back, where the experienced Shaun Payne replaces up and coming prospect Denis Hurley, who started at 15 against Edinburgh and had an excellent game. Brian Carney is named on the other wing and with Dowling and Tomas O'Leary covering the outside back positions on the bench, Hurley also misses out on a place in the squad.
In the continued absence of Paul O'Connell due to a back disc problem, Ronan O'Gara will captain the side from out-half.
MUNSTER v London Wasps:
15: Shaun Payne
14: Brian Carney
13: Rua Tipoki
12: Lifeimi Mafi
11: Anthony Horgan
10: Ronan O'Gara (capt)
9: Peter Stringer
1: Marcus Horan
2: Jerry Flannery
3: John Hayes
4: Donncha O'Callaghan
5: Mick O'Driscoll
6: Alan Quinlan
7: David Wallace
8: Denis Leamy
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Frank Sheahan
17: Tony Buckley
18: Anthony Foley
19: Jake Paringatai
20: Tomas O'Leary
21: Paul Warwick
22: Ian Dowling
