Celtic League Previews: Three defeats in succession have sent Edinburgh tumbling from first in the Celtic League to ninth, a disturbing free fall that included some heavy punishment on the pitch.
Ulster went to Meadowbank a fortnight ago and thumped the Scottish side 41-3, scoring five tries in the process.
Munster would do well to replicate that feat and in truth it's an unlikely scenario. Coach Alan Gaffney has left out top points scorer Jeremy Staunton on a disciplinary issue and his place goes to Conrad O'Sullivan, who partners Mike Mullins in the centre with Jason Holland moving to take Staunton's outhalf role.
Edinburgh have made six changes to the team that lost away to the Gwent Dragons.
The Scottish team may be struggling in terms of confidence but it is reasonable to point out that they didn't lead the table by accident not so long ago. As this season's competition has borne out, a couple of results can impact hugely on the table.
Derrick Lee, Edinburgh's top try scorer, will be a threat from full back, centre Craig Joiner was a seasoned Scottish international, and outhalf Brendan Laney, the New Zealand-born Scottish test player, was Ian McGeechan's choice of full back not long ago.
Despite Edinburgh's travails, captain and former All Black Todd Blackadder has impressed on a personal level, while possibly not receiving the support he deserves.
Munster showed that knack of being able to edge tight games last time out when a late Staunton penalty helped them to a 22-21 victory over the Celtic Warriors.
Gaffney won't be encouraging a repeat, at least not a last-ditch one. Instead he'll ask the young team to fulfil their potential, continue to fight the good fight and grab an important victory.
EDINBURGH: D Lee; S Webster, C Joiner, T Phillip, H Southwell; B Laney, R Lawson; C Smith, A Kelly, R Mathieson, G Perrett, A Kellock, T Blackadder, A Hogg, S Cross. Replacements: tbc.
MUNSTER: D Crotty; M McPhail, M Mullins, C O'Sullivan, M Lawler; J Holland, E Reddan; S Kerr, A Long, F Roche, T Hogan, S Keogh, D Leamy, J Williams, C McMahon. Replacements: E McGovern, J Blaney, D Sheehan, T Hayes, F Murphy, K Matthews, C Casey.
Referee: H Watkins (Wales).
