Munster deal from an 'international' deck
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:44
Except for the eerily empty stands, the Magners League opener between Heineken Cup champions Munster and Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday will have the air of an international about it.
There will be 20 Celtic internationals facing each other in Edinburgh.
Munster's starting line-up is nearer to the one that finished last weekend against London Irish, with all the internationals who were involved that day named either in their starting XV or on the bench.
All Black Doug Howlett retains the No.15 jersey, but Keith Earls - who scored two tries against the Exiles - moves to the wing with the Rua Tipoki/Lifeimi Mafi partnership restored to midfield.
Up front its an all international front five - which means Donnacha Ryan is moved to the flank and John O'Sullivan's good form sees him get the nod for the No.7 shirt, with David Wallace tying the lot together at No.8.
Munster: 15 Doug Howlett, 14 Keith Earls, 13
Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Rua Tipoki, 11 Ian Dowling, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 David Wallace, 7 John O'Sullivan, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 M Horan.
Replacements: 16 Frank Sheahan, 17 Federico Pucciariello, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Justin Melck, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Paul Warwick, 22 Barry Murphy.
Date: Friday, September 5
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Touch judges: Rob Dickson (Scotland), Alan Forrest (Scotland)
