Foley Takes A Strong Squad To Scotland

Donnacha Ryan returns to action at the weekend following suspension in a strong British & Irish squad that travels to play Melrose on Saturday.

As things stand the game is set to go ahead at the famous Greenyards club in the Borders area of Scotland although snow remains covering the pitch. The club have enlisted the help of the public in clearing the snow and that work is set to continue today and tomorrow with Ayr RFC being talked of as an alternative venue in the event that the Melrosians efforts fail.

Melrose haven't had a game since November 20th when they went down narrowly (20-18) away to Currie. Subsequent home games against Glasgow Hawks and Ayr were postponed because of snow.

It's been almost two months since Foley's side had their last outing, that the disappointing 15-13 defeat to Llanelli at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre. Danny Barnes sustained a nasty ankle injury that night but he returns to the squad for Saturday's game as does another injury victim Dave Foley while also included in the squad, that will be captained by Blly Holland, are players such as Tommy O'Donnell, Peter Borlase, Barry Murphy, Tom Gleeson and Scott Deasy, who have plenty of experience at senior level.

Foley is expected to finalise his side after training in Cork on Friday.

Munster: S Deasy, S Scanlon, D Barnes, B Murphy, T Smith, I Dineen, T Gleeson, C Sheridan, C Murray, D Cusack, Dave Ryan, S Archer, P Borlase, S Henry, D Casey, B Holland capt, D Ryan, D Foley, D O'Callaghan, K Essex, T O'Donnell, P Butler.