Rob Henderson has still to see a specialist for the cheekbone injury he sustained in a Celtic League clash with Leinster on New Year's Day, but he did train yesterday ahead of Munster's Heineken European Cup game against NEC Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday.
The former Lions and Ireland centre was due to see the specialist yesterday, but hasn't as yet had that examination. He is one of three players who have been added to the match 22 who were on duty last Saturday against Neath/Swansea Ospreys.
Wing Paul Devlin and flanker-cum-number eight David Wallace have also been included in the extended squad. John Kelly's bruised foot is still causing some concern. Munster will name their team for the match on Friday morning. They travel to London tomorrow.
Ulster coach Mark McCall is likely to wait until Friday before confirming his team for Sunday's clash against Cardiff at the Arms Park.
Having won four of their last five matches, including victories over Stade Francais and Gloucester, in this tournament at Ravenhill, McCall is reluctant to throw away the winning habit by fielding a weakened side at the weekend.
The Irish province cannot qualify for the knockout stages, and with a game against the Celtic League leaders, Neath/Swansea Ospreys, five days later, the Ulster coach is aware that he'll have to compromise in terms of personnel.
"There are definitely a few players who won't be able to play two games in five days," McCall said.
It is reasonable to assume that Paul Shields, Ronan McCormack and Andy Ward, replacements against Gloucester, could start at the Arms Park. McCall cites self-belief and a reluctance to play the blame game as the catalysts for Ulster's recent improvement.
"There is a self-belief that comes from winning, whereas when you are losing it can feel like being stuck in a rut. We haven't done anything desperately different. When things were awful, the group stuck together and there was no finger pointing. There was a no blame culture and that was a big, big factor in turning the corner. We have worked hard."
Although reluctant to single out individuals, McCall heralded the contribution of players like Neil Best and Matt McCullough. He also acknowledged that some of the old hands, like David Humphreys, Kevin Maggs and Paul Steinmetz, are enjoying a rich vein of form recently and that has contributed handsomely.
McCall admitted: "We want to develop as a team and no one is satisfied with what we have achieved. Leinster are in the knockout stages (of the European Cup) and Munster will be there too. We are not a top eight team yet, but we want to be. We are looking to build on the momentum we have enjoyed recently."
Leinster will announce their team for Saturday's game against Benetton Treviso at Lansdowne Road today. There are no major injury concerns and Leo Cullen, who came off in the victory over Bath suffering from a virus, is expected to be available.
The province are to use this European game to raise funds for tsunami victims in Asia. Proceeds from all programme sales on the day, a bucket collection and contributions by the Leinster players, management and staff will be included in the total. For this game only the price of the official match programme will be increased to 5.
The money raised will go to GOAL, the Irish Red Cross, Trocaire and the Irish Sri Lanka Trust Fund. The Celtic Tenors will entertain the crowd both before the match and at half-time.
Connacht's European Challenge Cup quarter-final second-leg match against Grenoble at the Sportsground will have a 2.0 p.m. kick-off. Coach Michael Bradley is hoping to be able to confirm his team for the game today.
Matt Mostyn and Matt Lacey, both late withdrawals from the first-leg victory with hamstring injuries, are doubtful. The Connacht management are hopeful that Mostyn may be fit, but Lacey is rated no better than 50/50. Number eight John O'Sullivan, who missed the first leg, could return.
MUNSTER SQUAD (from): C Cullen, M Lawler, P Devlin, M Mullins, S Payne, R Henderson, J Holland, J Storey, A Horgan, P Burke, P Stringer, M Prendergast, M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, G McIlwham, J Flannery, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, T Hogan, A Quinlan, D Leamy, A Foley, J Williams, D Wallace.
