Preview: Munster v Scarlets
Tony McGahan has made just two changes to the Munster XV for the Magners League clash with Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Sunday.
Munster coach Tony McGahan has made just two changes to the starting XV for the Magners League clash with Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Sunday.
With Keith Earls called in by Ireland, Barry Murphy takes over at outside centre while Alan Quinlan returns to the side ahead of Peter O'Mahony.
It is a top-of-the-table affair as league action returns this weekend for the West Wales region.
After winning their last four games in a row, including two strong performances in the LV=Cup against Leeds at home and away at London Irish last weekend, the Scarlets will be looking to maintain their forward momentum.
They have now won eight of their 11 matches this season with five home victories and three away wins – results that have given the coaching set-up at Parc y Scarlets something positive to work with ahead of a big challenge out in Munster this week.
Without their internationals Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and the new Wales wing George North, the Scarlets field a strong team with the return of some of their strike players in the backline including Morgan Stoddart on the wing, former All Black centre Regan King and in-form fly-half Rhys Priestland. International scrum-half Tavis Knoyle is released by Wales for game time and travels to Munster with a place on the bench.
“We know it's going to be a difficult place to go, they've had a massive result this week beating Australia, but this will be no bigger game than last week and we came through that against a strong London Irish side,” said Head Coach Nigel Davies.
“They'll bring huge intensity, they fight on every inch of the field and they will look to disrupt our game. They will be hard and very physical and we will have to match them and front up, in order to be competitive in this game.
“However, that was something I was so encouraged by in our performance last week, we had a young team on the park last weekend and we out muscled a strong, experienced London Irish side.
“We've got a positive momentum at the moment and we've worked hard over the past 20 months to develop this group and build strength throughout this squad. As a result we now have a group of players who can more than ably step in when our more recognised stars are not available. That's what you have to have to be successful in the league and it's a focus for us this season.”
Form: Munster have won their last nine games against Scarlets in all competitions since a Scarlets 24-15 win at the old Stradey Park in the quarter-final of the European Cup on 30 March 2007. Munster have won their last three games in all competitions and top the Magners League table. The Munstermen have won their last four home matches since Ospreys won 15-11 at Thomond Park on 24 April. Scarlets have won their last four games in all competitions since their 10-46 defeat at Leicester in the European Cup on 17 October. The Welshmen have won three of their last four games against Irish teams.
The teams:
Munster: 15 Johne Murphy, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Barry Murphy, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Ian Nagle, 4 Billy Holland, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Dave Ryan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Peter O'Mahony, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 C Murray, 22 Tom Gleeson, 23 Scott Deasy.
Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Morgan Stoddart, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Regan King, 11 Lee Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Johnathan Edwards (capt), 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Peter Edwards, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Simon Gardner, 19 Damian Welch, 20 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Dan Newton, 23 Scott Williams.
Date: Sunday, November 21
Kick-off: 17:35 GMT
Venue: Musgrave Park
Referee: James Jones
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, Brian MacNeice
TMO: Brian Fitzgerald