Munster v Scarlets:MUNSTER COACH Tony McGahan's priority will have been to supplant the euphoria of last Tuesday's superb victory over Australia with a steely determination to maintain their excellent start to the Magners League in a clash that pits the table toppers against second-placed Scarlets.
McGahan makes two changes to the sides that beat the Wallabies, with Barry Murphy coming into the centre in place of Keith Earls and Alan Quinlan fit enough to return to the backrow where he replaces Peter O'Mahony. Tom Gleeson is named among the replacements. He'll be hoping that Ian Nagle, Damien Varley, Billy Holland, James Coughlan and Duncan Williams, to name but five, can replicate their respective performances from earlier in the week.
The Scarlets have won five of their seven games in the tournament and even though they are without Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and George North, they still possess quality in players like Reagan King and the in-form Rhys Priestland behind the scrum.
Munster, though, hold the Indian sign over their visitors, having won the last nine matches between the sides in all competitions.
Scarlets coach Nigel Davies admitted: "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. 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 outmuscled 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."
Despite the upbeat message, Munster's ascendancy in this particular head-to-head should reach double figures tomorrow.
Munster v Scarlets Venue: Musgrave Park Kick-off: 5.35, Sunday On TV: TG4
MUNSTER: J Murphy; D Howlett, B Murphy, S Tuitupou, D Hurley; P Warwick, D Williams; W du Preez, D Varley, P Borlase; B Holland, I Nagle; A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Sherry, D Ryan, S Archer, P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, C Murray, T Gleeson, S Deasy.
SCARLETS: D Evans; M Stoddart, G Maule, R King, L Williams; R Priestland, M Roberts; I Thomas, K Owens P Edwards; L Reed; D Day; A Shingler, J Edwards (capt), B Morgan. Replacements: E Phillips, P John, S Gardner, D Welch, J Fa'amatuainu, T Knoyle, D Newton, S Williams.
Referee: James Jones(Wales)
