Celtic League / Cardiff v Munster: Through the mist of bitter disappointment that has enveloped Munster since last week's defeat to London Wasps comes a glint of light in the shape of the return of Alan Quinlan as Munster take on Cardiff in the Welsh capital tonight.
Quinlan's return is a boost for Irish rugby in general. He will be keen to show his fitness in the coming month, prior to the Irish squad selection for the South African tour in June. Also, Mike Prendergast returns to the bench after a long injury lay off.
"A five day turnaround is far from easy," said coach Alan Gaffney. "Some people think this is a glamorous lifestyle but we were right back into it this week so we could travel to Cardiff on Thursday.
"We got out of the disappointment right away. We've got some good young players playing and we will be keen to get a good performance out of these guys."
Munster will attempt to get a result without their first choice front row, back row and half backs - who are all on the treatment table.
Jason Holland starts in the number 10 shirt. Christian Cullen makes his seventh start for the province, while Donncha O'Callaghan, Rob Henderson, Mike Mullins and Shaun Payne are also selected. The rest of team, however, is decidedly second string in appearance.
Cardiff have injury worries of their own and there is a massive void in the second row as Craig Quinnell has been suspended for receiving a third yellow card.
However, Cardiff's pace out wide, allied to the incentive they will get from the desperate straits they are in - as it stands they will not qualify for the Heineken Cup next season - should be enough to consign Munster to a second successive defeat.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; M McPhail, M Mullins, R Henderson, S Payne; J Holland, E Reddan; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham; D O'Callaghan, D Pusey; S Keogh, P Malone, A Quinlan. Replacements: R Callaghan, M Cahill, T Hogan, E Halvey, M Prendergast, B Murphy, J Staunton.
CARDIFF: R Williams; T Shanklin, J Robinson, I Harris, C Morgan; N Robinson, R Powell; J Yapp, A Lewis, B Evans; H Senekal, J Brownrigg; D Baugh, N Thomas, M Williams (captain). Replacements: K Fourie, R Thomas, J Goode, R Sowden-Taylor, D Dewdney, N MacLeod, M Allen.
Arms Park, 7.05 (TG4)
Referee: I Ramage (Scotland)
