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Munster focus on Italian job
MUNSTER lock Donncha O'Callaghan is predicting that Italian newcomers Aironi Rugby will produce 'a big performance' when the sides clash in the opening round of the Magners League at Musgrave Park this Saturday evening (7.30pm) O'Callaghan has welcomed the addition of two Italian sides, Aironi Rugby and Benetton Treviso, to the Magners League, a move which brings the number of competing sides to 12.
Donncha O'Callaghan said: "I think it's a very good development. I feel it is great that they are in now. It will be brilliant for the competition and really good for Italian rugby going forward.
"In our first game on Saturday we come up against Nick Williams who played with us for a bit and who is now with Aironi. We know how confrontational he is and how much he will want to put in a big performance. The Italian sides are hugely proud and they will want to play well.
"You have no video footage of them for the past few years. As the Celtic League has gone on the teams have been able to build up a library of moves, things they like to do, but you won't have that with Aironi.
"You are preparing for something of an unknown quantity. It will be a good test. for us as well."
Munster completed their programme of pre-season fixtures when recording a gritty victory over Gloucester in Cork on Friday night. Tries from Wian du Preez and Alan Quinlan guided Munster to a 15-10 success. Tony McGahan's starting line up for the game included the likes of Alan Quinlan, Tony Buckley, Damien Varley, Peter Stringer, Felix Jones, Ian Nagle and Doug Howlett.
Mick O'Driscoll and Niall Ronan both made appearances from the bench and there was also a first Munster start for Johne Murphy, who partnered fellow newcomer Sam Tuitupou at centre.
In a change from last year's policy, most of Munster internationals stars are expected to be available for selection, if fit, for the upcoming Magners League game.
Under the player management scheme endorsed by the IRFU, big names missed the first month of last season, with many of them having toured South Africa with the Lions.
That won't be the case this year after Ireland's governing body gave the provinces permission to select their big names from week one or two of the season.
One player who won't be available for selection for several weeks, however, is the versatile Keith Earls. Results of a scan on Earls' injured ankle has revealed that the 22-year-old has suffered a sprain.
Earls is not expected to resume training again for several weeks. The Limerickman was involved in a training accident in Cork at the start of last week.
Earls attended the Munster squad training in Cork on Tuesday although his role was confined to that of a spectator role on the sidelines.
The exciting Irish international has had a cruel run of luck with injuries recently. He missed Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia due to a persistent groin injury.
Saturday's opponents Aironi Rugby have assembled a very decent squad which includes impressive front-row forwards Salvatore Perugini, hooker Fabio Ongaro and prop Matias Aguero. Marco Bortolami, who has joined from Gloucester and former Ulster player Carlo Del Fava are quality locks.
In the back-row, New Zealander Josh Sole has won 46 caps for Italy, while former Auckland Blue, Nick Williams has joined the Italian set-up from Munster this summer.
Experienced French out-half Ludovic Mercier, who was a prolific points-scorer with Gloucester, is a key member of the Aironi backline.
Saturday night's game will be televised live on RTE2 with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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