Loss of forward power could cost Munster

Celtic League/ Munster v Cardiff:Shorn of eight international forwards, Munster will be hard pressed to join the title race this evening. The demands of the Six Nations leave them with a second-string pack from which arguably only Alan Quinlan will survive to the Heineken European Cup quarter-final at Stradey Park on March 30th.

Anthony Foley (calf) and Anthony Horgan are struggling to recover in time for that season-defining fixture against Llanelli, while Jerry Flannery has been ruled out for tonight after picking up a knock in training. Hooker Denis Fogarty returns from a shoulder operation to understudy Frankie Sheahan, who undoubtedly aspires to retain the jersey ahead of Flannery.

Mick O'Driscoll, who featured at number eight for the closing stages of the 43-13 victory over England, is the only current international available this weekend.

The Blues will target this as an opportunity to avenge the two defeats in the European Cup pool encounters. They are strengthened by the return from international camp of Jamie Robinson, Chris Czekaj, Scott Morgan, Robert Sidoli, Rhys Thomas and Mike Phillips. The latter signed for the Ospreys this week in a surprise switch.

Openside Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Tom Shanklin are notable absentees.

The rest of Cardiff's internationals are on the fringe of the Welsh XV, while the team is also built around two former All Blacks, Ben Blair at fullback and number eight Xavier Rush.

Christian Cullen may be a shadow of his former self, but the meeting with his one-time All Blacks understudy should prove an enticing duel. Cullen's inclusion sees Shaun Payne continuing on the right wing. That could be how the pair line out on March 30th - assuming, of course, the injury-prone Cullen stays fit.

If the Munster pack can gain some parity up front - and their Welsh lock Chris Wyatt will not lack motivation - outhalf Eoghan Hickey will be expected to repeat the performance he produced against Borders on February 16th.

Trevor Halstead returns to partner Barry Murphy at centre, while John Kelly also comes back, in place of Ian Dowling.

John O'Sullivan is at number eight with James Coughlan and Foley both out injured.

The visitors look better-equipped and motivated, and victory here would keep their title aspirations alive. For Munster it is about finding the best combinations as their focus must soon switch to defending a certain title they picked up in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium last May.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, B Murphy, T Halstead, J Kelly (capt); E Hickey, T O'Leary; D Hurley, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello; C Wyatt, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, T McGann, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: T Buckley, D Fogarty, D Ryan, M Melbourne, B O'Meara, J Manning, L Mafi.

CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair; T James, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, C Czekaj; N Robinson, M Phillips; T Filise, R Thomas, G Powell; D Jones, R Sidoli; S Morgan, X Rush (capt), R Shellard. Replacements: S Roberts, G Williams, B White, M Lewis, W Evans, M Luveitasau, N Macleod.

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (SRU).

Verdict: Cardiff win.