Earls Ruled Out

Keith Earls has been ruled out of Munster’s trip to Cardiff with the recurrence of his groin strain he has been subjected to in the last few weeks.

That forces Tony McGahan to reshuffle his side with Lifeimi Mafi moving into the centre to partner Jean de Villiers, and Tom Gleeson named on the wing in place of Mafi.

Meanwhile Munster have confirmed that Worcester centre Sam Tuitupou will join them, subject to the usual medical and fitness examinations, at the start of the next season along with Leicester’s Johne Murphy.

In addition Tommy O’Donnell, Dave Ryan and Duncan Williams have moved from development contracts to senior contracts, while academy players Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Stephen Archer, Scott Deasy, Peter O’Mahony and Danny Barnes are promoted to full development contracts. Training contracted player Declan Cusack is also promoted to a full development contract. 

Munster Squad v Cardiff: Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Tom Gleeson, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, Tony Buckley, Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland, Nick Williams, Niall Ronan, David Wallace. Replacements: Mike Sherry, Dave Ryan, Alan Quinlan, James Coughlan, Tomas O’Leary, Paul Warwick, Danny Barnes.