Treviso Trip Restarts Magners

A first ever Magners League assignment in Italy is what Munster face as they resume their campaign with the game against Benetton Treviso on Sunday (2pm local) at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

And despite the absence of their frontline players who are either involved with Ireland or on the injured list, they still travel with an experienced squad that includes four of those, Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy, Mick O'Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan, who spent the week in Dublin and therefore have had no involvement at all in preparation for this game.

Prior to this week, the quartet mentioned were involved with Ireland A for the previous fortnight and so it remains to be seen whether Tony McGahan will consider them from the off or not against a Treviso side who will not be as badly affected by international absenteeism.

Back in the squad after a prolonged bout of injury is Denis Fogarty whose last game was against Ospreys in September, Marcus Horan whose last outing was against Toulon in October and Dave Ryan who injured a shoulder against Connacht at the end of December.

Treviso have six wins under their belts, five of those at home and their victims include Leinster, Connacht, Scarlets and Dragons.

Munster Squad: S Deasy, D Hurley, D Barnes, J Murphy, D Howlett capt, S Zebo, T Gleeson, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, D Williams, P Stringer, D Cusack, P Warwick, Darragh Hurley, Dave Ryan, P Borlase, M Horan, D Fogarty, W du Preez, S Archer, D Varley, M Sherry, Ian Nagle, M O'Driscoll, D Foley,  D Ryan, B Holland, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan, P Butler, .