Meanwhile, fears that Munster's South African acquisition Jean de Villiers had picked up a serious injury when he was forced to withdraw from the opneing Tri Nations game last weekend in Bloemfontein were allayed when he was named in the Boks side for Saturday's encounter with the All Blacks in Durban. 

de Villiers will win his 50th cap in the game.

Closer to home, the thirteen Munster players who are based in Belfast this week with the national squad include Jerry Flannery who is well on his way to recovery from the shoulder injury that forced him to miss the Lions trip to South Africa.

Flannery is expected to be available for selection for the earlier stages of Magners League.  Tomás O' Leary continues to rehab considerably well and is expeceted to return as originally predicted in November.

There will be a change of scenery for the squad this Friday as they continue their pre season training in Clonakilty RFC from 1.30pm.