Gatland opts for Munster backbone

Warren Gatland has decided that Munster men will provide the backbone of his Ireland side.

But it is another vital part of a rugby team's anatomy, the heart, which should be most affected by the infusion from the south-west.

Munster's huge international contingent were close to exhaustion as they travelled north from Limerick to Dublin immediately after Sunday's draining European Cup quarter-final win over Biarritz.

Ireland coach Gat-land, who has named nine of those men in his starting XV for Saturday's opening Six Nations match against Italy in Rome, has already complained about the unkind fixture scheduling which has hampered his plans.

If his core players are tired and under- prepared in body, though, Gatland cannot doubt that the confidence gained from Munster's exhilarating run to the semi-finals will lift the national squad.

With stand off Ronan O'Gara in superb place kicking form and scrum-half Peter Stringer ready to build on his Six Nations breakthrough last season, intelligent play behind the pack is assured.

As an auxiliary attacking weapon, No. 8 Anthony Foley is ready to meet the challenge - as his remarkable hat-trick of tries against Biarritz showed.

'Confidence is high for the Six Nations,' said Foley. 'Italy away is always a tough one, as Scotland found out last year, so we definitely won't get over- confident.