Tony McGahan ought to use Saturday’s Magners League meeting with Edinburgh to renew the partnership between Rua Tipoki and Lifeimi Mafi.
Munster ‘A’ will face Leinster ‘A’ at Waterpark RFC’s grounds in Ballinakill on Wednesday next, February 25th, with the game scheduled for a 3pm kick-off.
The provincial ‘shadow’ teams should serve up a lively encounter, as tends to be the case whenever red faces blue, and gives Waterford fans a rare chance to see some of the country’s emerging talent on a local paddock.
Meanwhile, Munster’s Magners League title bid resumes next Saturday when they take on Edinburgh at Musgrave Park (kick-off:7.30pm, live on Setanta Ireland).
Coach Tony McGahan, minus his Irish test contingent, will look to Mick O’Driscoll, Frankie Sheahan and his Kiwi contingent to provide leadership against the Gunners, coached by ex-England boss Andy Robinson.
McGahan took 28 players to Lanzarote last week for warm weather training and they’re due to return from the La Santa complex tomorrow (Thursday).
“It was always in our plans to do something like this,” said the Munster coach prior to departure.
“It not only gives us time as a senior squad together but also provides the opportunity to have an intense period with some of the younger players who are coming through the Munster rugby system.
“The biggest thing for us is to be able to get some quality training in an environment that is conducive to allowing us to train twice a day.”
He added: “And more importantly take the remaining members of the squad away and give them an opportunity to progress and be prepared for upcoming games, beginning with Edinburgh when we get back next week.
“The recent bad weather has affected us, no question about that. There’s been several times when we’ve had to change venues because of frozen ground.
“So the next week will give everyone a bit of a lift to be in sunshine and also get some quality training in to give us proper preparation for the games coming up.”
