Munster trust youth brigade

MAGNERS LEAGUE Munster v Dragons:GARRYOWEN HALFBACKS Conor Murray and Declan Cusack have been entrusted with guiding Munster's fortunes as they look to maintain their position atop the Magners League table.

The 21-year-old former Ireland underage international scrumhalf Murray makes his first competitive start for the province, while Cusack, one year older, has just one tournament appearance to his name. That came last season in a game against Connacht.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has given a number of young players the opportunity to garner experience while potentially providing first-hand evidence of possessing the aptitude to thrive at this level. The 20-year-old Simon Zebo is named on the left wing while Ian Nagle (21) has been chosen to partner Mick O’Driscoll in the secondrow with Donnacha Ryan at flanker.

Stephen Archer gets his chance in the frontrow with Wian du Preez and the Sale Sharks-bound Tony Buckley on the bench. Marcus Horan and Denis Fogarty are offered more game time following extended absences during the season.

Denis Leamy returns from Ireland squad duty to the number eight berth but Peter Stringer is named among a very strong cohort of replacements that includes Damien Varley, Alan Quinlan and Sam Tuitupou.

The Dragons welcome back young flanker Toby Faletau following an ankle injury that saw him withdraw from Wales’ Six Nations squad. Forwards’ coach Danny Wilson admitted: “Toby’s presence gives us a really physical backrow, which you need playing a pack like Munster’s. Lewis Evans has been outstanding at seven, but he has played a lot of rugby recently.

“He’s had to play through a couple of bumps but now that Toby’s back we are able to take the pressure off Lewis a bit. Some of the boys have been playing a lot of rugby over the last few weeks, partly because of injuries. We have a squad with a lot of competition which means we can mix things up a bit without the standard dropping.” The Dragons are without Aled Brew and Luke Charteris amongst other internationals and give a tournament debut to wing Matthew Pewtner. Tonight’s contest is a battle of two in-form sides as the hosts have won six of their last seven matches in the Magners League while the Welsh visitors are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions.

What is bound to add a little more spice to proceedings from a Munster perspective is that the Dragons are going for an unprecedented three straight victories over their hosts. It’s difficult to countenance anything other than a victory for the league leaders.

Even if some of the younger players don’t quite hit their straps, there is a surfeit of ability and experience on the bench to contend with anything that should potentially arise: Munster to continue their march towards a home semi-final in the play-offs.

MUNSTERJ Murphy; D Howlett, L Mafi, P Warwick, S Zebo; D Cusack, C Murray; M Horan, D Fogarty, S Archer; I Nagle, M O'Driscoll (capt); D Ryan, J Coughlan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, T Buckley, A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, P Stringer, S Tuitupou, D Barnes.

DRAGONSW Harries; A Hughes, T Riley, P Leach, M Pewtner; J Tovey, W Evans; H Gustafson, S Jones (capt), B Castle; S Morgan, R Sidoli; A Coombs, T Faletau, J Bearman. Replacements: L Burns, P Palmer, P Price, A Jones, L Evans, A Smith, J Evans, M Jones.

Referee: Peter Allan(Scotland).