Munster up against it in Welsh encounter

Llanelli v Munster: Despite missing a number of internationals, Llanelli can still field a strong side for what promises to be the Celtic League clash of the weekend that sees the third-placed team in the table play the fourth.

The Welsh club are just one point ahead Munster, while the Irish side will be aware that they play three sides in the top half of the table, Llanelli, Ulster and the Celtic Warriors in the coming weeks.

Munster make one change from the team that defeated Leinster last week with international wing Anthony Horgan back on provincial duty in place of Mossie Lawlor who drops to the bench. Llanelli boast some young talented backs including Tal Selley and full back Brian Davies.

They have a couple of promising half backs in outhalf Gareth Bowen and last season's Wales under-21 international scrumhalf Mike Phillips. Up front the pack is littered with experienced campaigners from John Davies in the front row to captain Vernon Cooper and Chris Wyatt in the engine room.

Notoriously difficult to beat on their home patch, they'll be confident of winning this one despite missing their international contingent.

Munster find themselves in similar circumstances in terms of Test players but will benefit from the presence of international wings Horgan and John Kelly, who alongside Shaun Payne form a potent back three.

For the Irish side to win though they'll need a big performance from their pack, a unit that for most of last week's game came off second best to Leinster. It's going to be very tight but Llanelli with a slight edge up front might just see them take the victory.

LLANELLI: B Davies; R Rees, T Selley, M Watkins, R Johnson; G Bowen, M Phillips; P John, A Gravelle, J Davies; V Cooper (capt), C Wyatt; D Hodges, S Quinnell, G Williams. Replacements: M O'Kelly, A Yelland, A Jones, E Lewis, D Burn, C Thomas, D Rogers.

MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, J Jones-Hughes, R Henderson, A Horgan; J Holland, E Reddan; S Kerr, J Blaney, G McIlwham; T Hogan, D Pusey; S Keogh, J Williams (capt), E Halvey. Replacements: F Roche, J Flannery, D Sheahan, P Malone, F Murphy, C O'Sullivan, M Lawler.

Referee: G Hannah (Scotland).

Verdict: Llanelli.