Dragons V Munster:AND SO the Magners League and Setanta embark upon the brave new dawn that is their Sunday evening slot. Well, perhaps not so brave, and not so bright either.
Although the paying spectators clearly come last in the food chain with regard to this decision, thanks to season tickets Musgrave Park's 8,000 or so capacity is technically already sold out, but it will be interesting to see how many actually withstand the forecast of heavy and persistent rain.
As an early litmus test of the Red Army's commitment to the league, it would seem they are more up for it than is usually the case. Ditto their heroes in red. Making their competitive home bow of the season, the European champions are much stronger in personnel than is normally the case at this embryonic stage of the season.
Buoyed by their pre-season wins over the USA Eagles and London Irish, along with last week's relatively clinical win in Edinburgh, Tony McGahan yesterday commented: "We're looking to maintain the momentum we took from our opening away game of the season."
Having lost their last home game in the Magners League, a somewhat distracted 18-21 defeat to Glasgow Warriors here last May a fortnight before their Cardiff coronation, Munster are seeking to avoid back-to-back home defeats for the first time since the 2003-04 season. That was also their third home defeat of the League campaign in Cork. "We weren't contenders in the league last season because of our home form and it's something we're very conscious of," added McGahan.
Their selection is a statement of intent, with only one change from last weekend's 22. That change sees Denis Hurley return to the match-day squad with Rua Tipoki making way although Hurley has to content himself with a place on the bench as McGahan pairs Barry Murphy with Lifeimi Mafi in midfield. Paul Warwick starts at outhalf, with Ronan O'Gara on the bench, while up front Mick O'Driscoll is picked ahead of Paul O'Connell and is captain, and Frank Sheahan exchanges places with Jerry Flannery, who has to be content with one of those heavyweight Munster benches.
Since winning in Thomond Park five seasons ago, the Dragons have lost on their last four visits to Musgrave Park although generally the games have been closely contested and the Welsh outfit have also beaten Munster three times out of five in Rodney Parade. Munster's seven tries to three rout last November here was an exception to this trend, and also constituted Munster's only bonus point win at home last season.
That said, the Dragons have lost on their last 16 visits to Ireland in all competitions since a 28-21 win against Ulster at Ravenhill in October 2004. They lost 27-25 at home to the Scarlets on Wednesday after letting slip a 25-6 half-time lead, but coach Paul Turner has retained eight of that starting line-up and 15 of the 22.
They welcome back lock Dan Lydiate for his first game since sustaining a career threatening neck injury in a Heineken Cup defeat in Perpignan, while Jamie Ringer will become the second player to reach 100 caps for the region.
MUNSTER:K Earls; D Howlett, B Murphy, L Mafi, I Dowling; P Warwick, T O'Leary; F Pucciariello, F Sheahan, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll (capt); D Ryan, J O'Sullivan, D Wallace. Replacements: M Horan, J Flannery, P O'Connell, J Melck, P Stringer, R O'Gara, Denis Hurley.
DRAGONS:J Arlidge; R Sidey, R G Davies, A Smith, T Selley; S Connor, W Evans; H Gustafson, T Willis (capt), R Thomas, A Jones, L Charteris, D Lydiate, J Ringer, G Webb. Replacements: S Jones, A Black, G Robinson, A Brown, J Bearman, R Fussell, R Lewis.
Referee:Nigel Owens (WRU).
Recent meetings:(05-06) Munster 10 Dragons 8; Dragons 23 Munster 17; (06-07) Dragons 19 Munster 12; Munster 15 Dragons 7; (07-08) Dragons 16 Munster 26; Munster 45 Dragons 19.
Betting (Paddy Power): 1/33 Munster, 40/1 Draw, 10/1 Dragons. Handicap odds (= Dragons + 22pts) 10/11 Munster, 25/1 Draw, 10/11 Dragons.
Forecast:Munster to win.
