Munster 'confident' match will go ahead

MUNSTER v SCARLETS:MUSGRAVE PARK remains the last ground standing in Ireland, but its chances of staging the only game of rugby on the island this weekend hinge on a further assessment of the pitch and the ground at 5.30pm today. Should the Cork venue be ruled out for tomorrow's visit of the Scarlets, the chances are the game will be postponed, as Thomond Park was deemed unplayable yesterday.

Both pitches were inspected yesterday by representatives of the IRFU referee department and Munster Rugby officials, and a decision will be made after this evening’s match-time inspection.

In a statement, Munster said they “are confident that the game will take place and every effort is being made to ensure the game goes ahead as planned, with protective covers laid on the surface and heaters in place”.

However, Munster added that “in the event that Musgrave Park is deemed unplayable, the game is likely to be postponed as Thomond Park is currently unplayable. A further pitch inspection will take place at Thomond Park tomorrow evening also. An update will again be posted on munsterrugby.ie on Saturday evening following the pitch inspections”.

While Munster will be acutely aware of the need to avoid injuries prior to their return to Heineken Cup action away to Treviso next Saturday – not least to a backrow now missing Nick Williams as well as long-term absentee Denis Leamy – nothing beats match practice. And, in sharp contrast to their provincial rivals, were this game to go ahead they’ll have had no disruptions to their festive schedule.

Accordingly, Tony McGahan has selected a strong side, albeit allowing for the absence of a quartet of full Irish internationals. Only John Hayes of their frontline Test players has been rested.

Niall Ronan comes in for Leamy in what is likely to be the first-choice backrow in Treviso, while Tony Buckley deputises for Hayes, which makes McGahan’s call at centre all the more intriguing. Here, in what may be a portent of things to come over the next fortnight, Munster have opted to start the rejuvenated Jean de Villiers alongside Keith Earls, with Lifeimi Mafi relegated to the bench.

For the Scarlets, Rhys Priestland returns to outhalf with Daniel Evans regaining his place at fullback following Stephen Jones’ shoulder injury on New Year’s eve which arrested a four-game losing run.

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, P Stringer, 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.

Referee:Neil Paterson (SRU).

Overall head-to-head (ML and HC):Munster 10 wins, Scarlets 6 wins.

Last five ML meetings:(09-10) Scarlets 20 Munster 22; (08-09) Munster 29 Scarlets 10; Scarlets 16 Munster 18; (07-08) Scarlets 23 Munster 24; Munster 26 Scarlets 16.

Leading try scorers: Munster:Nick Williams 4, Jean de Villiers 3. Scarlets:Jonathan Davies 3.

Leading points scorers: Munster:Jeremy Manning 30, Ronan O'Gara 23. Scarlets:Rhys Priestland 56, Stephen Jones 29.

Forecast:Munster to win.