Celtic League Previews: It certainly doesn't constitute a dress rehearsal as far as Munster are concerned. Tonight's Celtic League game at Sardis Road might have afforded Munster coach Alan Gaffney an opportunity to select next week's starting XV for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais were it not the for the bumps and bruises picked up by those on the national side.
The Triple Crown victory over Scotland came at a price and so Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Frankie Sheahan and John Hayes have all been given additional time to recover while Ronan O'Gara's training accident makes him a definite non-starter.
The quality in the back five is augmented by the returns of Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan and Anthony Foley. David Wallace has been playing in the red jersey for most of the season.
The Irish province will face a serious work-out. The Celtic Warriors have excelled in this competition and despite a narrow defeat away to the Gwent Dragons last time out they will prove a real handful at home. Their game is based on a touchline-to-touchline game plan and the return of Welsh internationals like Gareth Cooper and Gethin Jenkins can only strengthen the team.
The Welsh side have more to play for here and with Munster preoccupied by next week's fixture the Warriors have to be favoured. Munster will be looking to fine tune patterns and while they'd enjoy a victory may have to content themselves with escaping from the Principality without any serious injuries.
CELTIC WARRIORS: K Morgan; D James, G Thomas (capt), J Bryant, R Mustoe; C Sweeney, G Cooper; G Jenkins, M Rees, C Horsman; B Cockbain, R Sidoli; R Parks, R Bryan, C Harris. Replacements: M Davies, M Jones, D Jones, R Jones, S Martens, N Jenkins, G Wyatt.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan; J Holland, E Reddan; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, J Williams (capt), A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: M Cahill, R Callaghan, D Pusey, S Keogh, F Murphy, M Lawler, S Payne.
Referee: A Ireland (Scotland).
