Rugby - Team News:Munster remain confident their Magners League game against the Scarlets will go ahead at Musgrave Park on Sunday, but if the pitch is deemed unplayable tomorrow Limerick's Thomond Park is unlikely to be used instead.
Both pitches underwent inspections this afternoon and will again be checked at 5.30 5.30pm tomorrow, but Thomond is currently unplayable and that is unlikely to change. Munster had hoped to have two pitches to choose from at the 11th hour.
Protective covers have been laid on the Musgrave Park surface and heaters are also in place.
Earlier today, Leinster’s game against league leaders Glasgow at the RDS tonight was called-off. Ulster’s game against the Ospreys at Ravenhill and Connacht’s match against the Dragons at the Sportsground were both postponed during the week because of unplayable conditions and safety concerns.
Tony McGahan’s preparations have continued regardless, with the coach announcing a strong team for the visit of the Llanelli side earlier today.
John Hayes is the obvious absentee but the side still boasts a host of internationals and will be led by Paul O’Connell.
Springbok Wian Du Preez comes into the frontrow in the absence of Hayes and will join Denis Fogarty and Tony Buckley, while Damian Varley and Stephen Archer act as cover from the bench.
It’s as you were in the secondrow with O’Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan commanding the engine room.
The backrow shows Alan Quinlan at blindside with ball carrier specialist David Wallace at number eight. In Denis Leamy's absence, Niall Ronan gets the nod ahead of Donnacha Ryan, who starts from the bench.
Tomás O'Leary and Ronan O'Gara form the half back partnership, while Jean De Villiers starts alongside Keith Earls at centre. Paul Warwick, Doug Howlett and Denis Hurley complete the back three.
McGahan’s counterpart Nigel Davies has also named his match day 22 and is all too aware the defending champions will quickly want to return to winning ways after their defeat to Ulster.
Rhys Priestland returns at outhalf for Scarlets with Daniel Evans regaining his place at fullback following Stephen Jones’s shoulder injury during the New Year’s Eve fixture away at Rodney Parade.
Damian Welch comes in for his third start of the season at lock with Lou Reed moving to the bench.
Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, J de Villiers, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Fogarty, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt); A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Wallace. Replacements: D Varley, S Archer, D Ryan, J Coughlan, PStringer, L Mafi, I Dowling
Scarlets: D Evans, L Williams, S Lamont, J Davies, A Fenby, R Priestland, M Roberts, P John, K Owens, D Manu, D Welch, D Day, R McCusker, J Edwards, D Lyons(capt). Replacements: J Corsi, E Phillips, L Reed, R Pugh, G Davies, M Stoddart, G Maule