Burke out to make an impression

Celtic League: Only a few hundred tickets remain unsold so the supporters from both sides haven't embraced any suggestion that the absence of 14 internationals in Murrayfield for Ireland's final World Cup warm-up will devalue the spectacle.

This is about blue and red jerseys as much as the players who fill them. Victory tonight in the opening match of a 22-game league season quickly establishes a momentum.

Munster have a slight edge in terms of experience with the arithmetic pointing to a slight advantage in first-team regulars, particularly in the back five of the pack. Coach Alan Gaffney has enjoyed more time to bed-in his philosophy and the patterns are more familiar to those who must implement them.

Gary Ella has had just four weeks to assess his new charges and set about a gradual overhaul of the previous system. Leinster have adopted a different defensive structure and the Australian is also looking for a more fluid approach with greater responsibilities thrust on the players to keep possession of the football.

Three games, home and away against Gloucester and away to Coventry, allowed Ella a quick glance at the resources available and he spoke enthusiastically about the depth of talent available.

Barnhall winger Brendan Burke is one player hoping to make a positive impression and wins his second Leinster cap, although this will be the first time he starts a match. His performance against Marcel Garvey at Kingsholm against Gloucester encouraged Ella to promote him to the starting line-up tonight. He is a member of a young Leinster three-quarter line that includes Kieran Lewis and David Quinlan in midfield and 23-year-old Gordon D'Arcy, a 55-cap veteran.

Matt Leek will undertake the kicking duties, leaving Brian O'Meara free to concentrate on the basic scrumhalf role: he is vying with Ulster's Neil Doak for a place on the Ireland squad bound for Australia. His fate is shared by several others with Rob Henderson, Donncha O'Callaghan and Leo Cullen all hoping for high-profile performances.

Ireland under-21 prop John Lyne will feature in the front row alongside a fit-again Emmet Byrne, who will be looking to last the match. Keith Gleeson leads a pack that is long on ability if not experience.

Munster have delayed naming their side because of several injuries. Jason Holland is the most serious, although he is expected to take his place, so too Mike Mullins, Jeremy Staunton and scrumhalf Eoin Reddan, all of whom are battling knocks.

The visitors have a powerful inside three in Holland, Henderson and Mullins, all strong runners and physically a handful. Up front Frankie Sheahan makes his return to competitive action and given his recent tribulations won't wait for anyone to open the dressing-room door.

It is through the back five, though, that Munster will look to dominate the game. O'Callaghan knows that his head-to-head with Cullen could be pivotal. Captain Jim Williams joins Irish internationals Anthony Foley and Alan Quinlan - the latter pair should make the World Cup squad - in a high-quality back row.

The respective benches includes some excellent prospects notably Leinster flanker Shane Jennings and his counterpart for Munster, Denis Leamy.

LEINSTER: C Warner; G D'Arcy, K Lewis, D Quinlan, B Burke; M Leek, B O' Meara; J Lyne, G Hickie, E Byrne; L Cullen, B Gissing; A McCullen, D Dillon, K Gleeson (capt). Replacements: N Treston, D Blaney, A Kearney, S Jennings, B O'Riordan, G Brown, J McWeeney.

MUNSTER (possible); J Staunton; S Payne, M Mullins/M McPhail, R Henderson, M Lawlor; J Holland/K Keane, E Reddan; S Kerr, F Sheahan, M Cahill; D O' Callaghan, T Hogan; J Williams (capt), A Foley, A Quinlan. Replacements: J Blaney, J Danagher, E Halvey, D Leamy, F Murphy, J Jones Hughes, M McPhail.

Referee: P Adams (Wales).

Leinster v Munster

Donnybrook, 7.35

On TV: Live on TG4