Munster have announced a team of sorts for their eagerly anticipated, sold-out, live televised Pool C Heineken Cup showdown with Saracens on Saturday although it is a reflection of their injury troubles and flu bug that the selection has more ifs, buts and maybes than an average day at a tribunal.
Mick Galwey has theoretically been named as captain and David Wallace again chosen at openside, but both are still doubtful. Were Galwey to be ruled out, Donnacha O'Callaghan has been preferred to Mick O'Driscoll as Galwey's nominal replacement, while in the advent of Wallace being ruled out, then Eddie Halvey (who has flu) or Ken O'Connell would come into the equation. In the latter case, then Alan Quinlan would move to openside.
Nor do the permutations end there, for Munster have still to perm two from three on the wing due to doubts about John Kelly (shoulder), Anthony Horgan (flu) and John O'Neill (flu). As the team has largely picked itself of late, the only possible bone of contention would be at full-back, where Dominic Crotty has been recalled after scoring a try as replacement for Jeremy Staunton in the win over Colomiers.
Connacht make two changes from the side which lost away to Toulon for Saturday's visit of Steaua Bucharest; Junior Charlie replacing Ultan O'Callaghan at blind side and Barry Gavin coming in for Martyn Steffert at number eight.
Save for the absent trio of Rowen Shepherd, James Craig and Willie Anderson, Glasgow Caledonians have included the remaining dozen internationals on their books in a 24-man squad for tomorrow's crunch Pool A game against Leinster at Donnybrook. Coach Richie Dixon is not expected to finalise his team before tomorrow morning.
Leinster will finalise their team today, their final conundrum being whether to recall the fit-again Girvan Dempsey and if so where, given the versatile Peter McKenna's good performance at fullback against Stade Francais and John McWeeney's try-scoring return in that game. Trevor Brennan is now back in harness but it's hard to see how Leinster could jettison the consistent and in-form Declan O'Brien.
Ulster's team to play Wasps may reflect a greater desire for change given their forlorn campaign heretofore, with Harry Williams liable to opt for a new Jonathan Bell-Riaz Fredericks midfield, and perhaps recall Simon Best for the disappointing Joeli Veitayaki.
Munster (v Saracens, Thomond Park, Saturday, 3.30): D Crotty; J Kelly/J O'Neill, J Holland, M Mullins, A Horgan/J O'Neill; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, K Wood, J Hayes, M Galwey (capt), J Langford, A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements from - J O'Neill, J Staunton, T Tierney, F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, E Halvey, K O'Connell.
Connacht (v Steaua Bucharest, the Sportsground, Saturday 2.30): S Allnutt; M Mostyn, M Deane, M Murphy, P Duignan; E Elwood (capt), S McIvor; J Screene, B Jackman, M Cahill, G Webster, M McConnell, J Charlie, B Gavin, I Dillon. Replacements - J Ferris, C Kilroy, S McKenna, S McDonald, J Maher, C Rigney, E Brennan.
Glasgow Caledonians (squad v Leinster, Donnybrook, Friday 6.30): G Metcalfe, B Irving, S Longstaff, I McInroy, J Stuart, I Jardine, A Bulloch, T Hayes, C Chalmers, A Nicol (capt), F Stott, G Beveridge, D Hilton, G Bulloch, G Scott, G McIlwham, A Watt, S Campbell, J Petrie, J White, D Burns, G Simpson, D McFadyen, R Reid.
Fixture Changes: Saturday - Munster Senior Club - Garryowen v Thomond, Dooradoyle (12.30); Highfield v Sunday's Well, Woodleigh Park (12.00); Shannon v Corinthians, Coonagh (12.15).
