Munster Chasing Best Runner-Up Spot in B&I Cup

Munster’s task tomorrow in Moseley is to take the points and then wait and see what happens in the other games before they know whether or not they’ll be taking any further part in this year’s British & Irish Cup.

As things stand, Munster are in second place in Pool Two on 13 points, Moseley are in second place in Pool Two on 13 points. So the winner will immediately want to know exactly what's happened in Pool Three where Bedford Blues, on 10 points host Llanelli and in Pool Six where either leaders Ulster Ravens or Nottingham could thwart Munster ambitions depending on how results go.  

London Welsh on 10 points in Pool 4 also come into the equation until you consider their final game is against unbeaten Leinster in Dublin on Sunday.

“We've obviously no control of what's happening in other places, “says coach Ian Costello, ” so we'll focus solely on what we need to do in Moseley. With the format of this competition, it's hard to get an angle on opponents. You can't compare their performance against sides we've both played so far. But we do know they're playing week in week out and in contention for a place in the B&I play-offs, at home. I think that says it all.”

Costello brings a side laced with experience and none more so than Mick O'Driscoll who is set this season to become the next Munster player to reach the 200th cap mark. O'Driscoll is partnered in the second row by one for the future Ian Nagle while their backline can only benefit by the presence of Will Chambers who drops down from the senior squad.

JJ Hanrahan partners Chambers in the centre and they've loads of pace out wide in the shape of Luke O'Dea who scored a try on his debut for the senior side and full back Sean Scanlon.

All to play for in Billesley Common tomorrow (2pm) where one side will see their British & Irish Cup involvement end.

Munster: S Scanlon; L O'Dea, JJ Hanrahan, W Chambers, T Gleeson; S Deasy, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, S Henry, C Condon; M O'Driscoll, I Nagle; B Holland capt, D O'Callaghan, P Butler. Replacements: D Casey, P Borlase, D Foley, B O'Hara, C Sheridan, D Cusack, R O'Mahony.