Munster to debut three in Edinburgh

Rugby:Munster coach Rob Penney has opted to give three players their competitive debuts in the league opener against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday evening (8pm).

Summer signings Casey Laulala, James Downey and Sean Dougall will start, while wing forward Barry O'Mahony could also make his league bow from the bench. Laulala and Downey will form the centre pairing in the backline, with captain Doug Howlett outside them on the right wing and Luke O’Dea on the left.

There’s plenty of experience in the pack with Damien Varley propped by the South African pair Wian du Preez and BJ Botha.

Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan will be joined in the secondrow by Billy Holland, with Dougall in the backrow alongside youngster Paddy Butler on the blindside and James Coughlan at number eight.

Munster (v Edinburgh):D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), C Laulala, J Downey, L O’Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, B Holland; P Butler, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Replacements:M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, D Foley, B O’Mahony, P Stringer, S Deasy, I Dineen.