Munster play the waiting game

Rugby News round-up: In keeping with the growing tendency to delay naming teams, Munster, like Leinster and Connacht before them, have plumped for an extended squad ahead of tomorrow's Celtic League clash with Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

Ronan O'Gara is included despite the five stitches in a wound under his left eye. He'll definitely tog out, as coach Declan Kidney has opted for just two outhalves - Jeremy Manning is the other - in the squad of 26.

The Shannon trio of Ian Dowling, John O'Connor and Stephen Keogh have been added to the usual list of stalwarts.

Edinburgh Gunners' interim head coach, Todd Blackadder, has made just two changes to the side that defeated the Border Reivers 30-25 at Murrayfield on St Stephen's Day. Argentinian winger Francisco Leonelli returns to the starting line-up in place of Simon Webster, who was forced off with a damaged hip.

Former UCD and All Black prop Dave Hewett also rejoins the side, replacing Allan Jacobsen, who suffered a knock to a knee in that same game.

Blackadder said: "This is a great opportunity against the front-runners in the Celtic League. We've had a good break and the players have come back refreshed. We needed that mentally as well as physically and we are all ready to go out there with a lot of enthusiasm.

"We've had a good start to the Celtic League season and that is something we should be really proud of. We've got a good strong, quality side."

Llanelli make seven changes, including two positional, to the side that hammered Cardiff for tomorrow's game against Leinster at Stradey Park. Barry Davies is at fullback, and Lee Byrne switches to the left wing in place of Daffyd James. Mike Hercus comes in at outhalf as Gareth Bowen drops to the bench.

There is a debut for New Zealand prop Craig Dunlea as John Davies drops to the bench.

In the secondrow Chris Wyatt and former Tongan captain Inoke Afeaki are rested, replaced by Hottie Louw and Adam Jones.

Ireland flanker Simon Easterby will captain the team.

Meanwhile England scrumhalf Harry Ellis is poised to make a rapid return after knee surgery.

Ellis has been named in the squad for Leicester's clash with London Irish on Sunday - just three weeks after he was injured during the European Cup victory over Ospreys.

Outhalf Jonny Wilkinson is also close to resuming after groin surgery in November, but Newcastle Falcons say they will not rush his return, and it now looks as though his first taste of action will be against Borders in the Challenge Cup on Sunday week.

The return of Wilkinson and Ellis will provide a huge lift for England coach Andy Robinson, with the Six Nations opener against Wales just a month away.

MUNSTER SQUAD: Backs: S Payne, J Kelly, I Dowling, B Murphy, T Halstead, G Connolly, A Horgan, R O'Gara, J Manning, T O'Leary, P Stringer, M Horan. Forwards: F Pucciariello, T Buckley, J Hayes, J Flannery, D Fogarty, M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan, T Hogan, P O'Connell, D Leamy, D Wallace, S Keogh, J O'Connor, A Foley.

LLANELLI: B Davies; M Jones, M Watkins, R King, L Byrne; M Hercus, D Peel; C Dunlea, M Rees, M Madden; H Louw, A Jones; D Jones, S Easterby (capt), A Popham. Replacements: J Davies, C Hawkins, V Cooper, G Thomas, C Start-Smith, G Bowen, G Evans.

EDINBURGH: H Southwell; C Paterson (capt), M Di Rollo, P Jorgensen, F Leonelli; P Godman, M Blair; D Hewett, D Hall, C Smith; A Kellock, S Murray; A Hogg, S Cross, S Taylor. Replacements: A Kelly, A Dickinson, A Strokosch, A MacDonald, R Lawson, M Dey, M Pyke.