There are six changes for Munster when they resume their challenge for RaboDirect PRO12 honours against Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Sunday.
One of those changes is positional, Ian Keatley moving back to his favoured ten spot occupied last time out by Ronan O'Gara, and two are injury enforced with Niall Ronan back after almost two months replacing Sean Dougall and Paddy Butler in for Tommy O'Donnell, who limped out of the game against Leinster last week with an ankle injury.
Elsewhere, Wian du Preez starts ahead of Marcus Horan, Ian Nagle partners Billy Holland this time around and James Downey is back as centre partner for Casey Laulala.
Meanwhile, Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby fields an exciting mix of experience, flair and ambitious up-and-coming talent in his starting XV with a return to regional action for Morgan Stoddart at full-back as Liam Williams is called up to Wales to replace his injured Scarlets team-mate George North.
The centre partnership remains the same as last weekend's derby against Cardiff Blues with Gareth Maule linking up with former Ospreys centre Gareth Owen to create an impressive back line with Morgan Stoddart at full-back, Andy Fenby on the wing with Nick Reynolds in for the injured Kristian Phillips and Andy Fenby on the other wing. Aled Thomas who showed strong form with the boot last weekend starts at fly-half with Gareth Davies back at scrum-half.
Kirby Myhill and Samson Lee are released back from Wales' training squad this weekend, adding some youthful power and energy to the Scarlets bench, while South African signing George Earle moves from the second row to cover back row following the number of international call-up for Scarlets back-row players in addition to injuries.
Form: Munster have won their last three games in all competitions. The Munstermen's only home defeat in the PRO12 since October 2011 was 18-9 to Leinster at Thomond Park on 31 March. Munster have won their last 15 games at Musgrave Park since Glasgow won there 21-18 on 10 May 2008. Scarlets have won their last three matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 and are unbeaten in their last four encounters with Irish provinces in the competition. Munster are unbeaten in their last 15 clashes with Scarlets in all competitions since the European Cup quarter-final in March 2007. Scarlets have lost on all their seven previous visits to Musgrave Park.
The teams:
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Doug Howlett (c), 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Luke O'Dea, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 Paddy Butler, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Dave O'Callaghan, 5 Billy Holland, 4 Ian Nagle, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Wian Du Preez.
Replacements 16 Damian Varley 17 Marcus Horan, 18 BJ Botha, 19 Dave Foley, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Denis Hurley.
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart 14 Nick Reynolds, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Craig Price, 7 Johnathan Edwards (c), 6 George Earle, 5 Richard Kelly, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Emyr Phillips, 1 Phil John.
Replacements 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Shaun Hopkins, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Johan Snyman, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Newton, 23 Adam Warren.
Date: Sunday, 25 November
Venue: Musgrave Park
Kick-off: 17.15 GMT
Referee: Laurent Cardona
Comments
Sheridan says...
Be interesting to see CJ Stander playing in his first game for Munster.
Posted 19:19 23rd November 2012