Munster coach looks to fill hole

Munster coach Tony McGahan says he is confident one of his squad members will be able to fill the hole left by Doug Howlett’s injury.

The Kiwi has been ruled out till the summer with an Achilles injury which he picked up in his team’s loss to Ospreys in the RaboDirect Pro 12 last weekend.

The Irish province has an abundance of young talent coming through and McGahan is hoping Simon Zebo can be the man to fill the number 14 jersey. The Australian can also call on the likes of Keith Earls and Felix Jones who have just returned from injuries. Fans of Betfair.com should bear this in mind.

Earls has been out with a knee injury but is now back in full training while Jones is likely to be back in the new year after recovering from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the World Cup. Those looking at the betting tips should remember this.

Zebo has impressed this season and looks as if he could be on the verge of making himself a regular in the side. McGahan has ruled out bringing in any new players into his squad despite the injury problems meaning the 21-year-old could be set for a run in the side."I think there is an option there [within competition rules] to allow you bring a player into the squad, I think one front row and one player during the pool stages," McGahan told the Irish Examiner.

"But we are still hoping on [hooker] Mike Sherry that he might try and get back, we are still hoping that Felix Jones will get back at some stage, you are looking at those players existing in the squad to come back in and you are also looking at the availability of a player to bring in.

"You cannot bring in anyone who has already played ERC rugby or Amlin Challenge this year so Europe really tightens that group."