The Munster squad completed their preparations for the trip to the United States with a work out in the UL Sports Bowl on Tuesday evening and the following morning were in Shannon Airport at 7.30 to begin the check-in for their eight hour flight to Chicago.

The American Airlines Boeing 757 flight departed on time but without prop forward Eugene McGovern who sustained a slight hamstring strain at the previous evenings training.

Except for mild turbulence about two hours out of Shannon and again on the approach,  the flight at 36.000 feet was uneventful, the route taking them over southern Canada with the descent to Chicagos OHare Airport, beginning over Traverse City, affording marvellous views of Lake Michigan.

Among those who accompanied them was Munster Branch President Gerry OLoughlin, along with past President Ken Lyons, Branch Treasurer Jim Riordan and John Hartery, Chairman of the Provincial Management Committee, the body that oversees the professional game.

On hand to meet the Munster squad when they arrived was USA Rugby official John Broker and Mark Campbell, from County Armagh who will act as Liaison for the Munster party while they are in Chicago.