Munster rebuilding can gain boost

Munster v Dragons:THERE WAS enough in Munster's narrow defeat at Ravenhill to suggest this season of rebuilding under Rob Penney may not be so depressing after all.

The removal of the bottleneck in the backrow due to enforced retirements of Denis Leamy and David Wallace means the likes of Dave O’Callaghan can finally show what they are made of with regular first XV exposure. He has performed consistently at A level and will be training with the Ireland squad next week.

The same applies to Paddy Butler, Billy Holland, Dave Foley and Tommy O’Donnell. At least two from that five will see regular European during action this campaign.

Peter O’Mahony and Donnacha Ryan are only back on the training paddock but should feature next week.

There are changes all over the field from the Ulster game with James Coughlan (groin) and Luke O’Dea (ankle) unavailable, while Denis Hurley and Ivan Dineen have been struck down by illness. Simon Zebo comes onto the wing, while Ian Keatley must adapt to the challenges of fullback.

Ronan O’Gara has taken hold of the number 10 jersey once again, despite a shaky cameo last week, and is joined by old partner Peter Stringer, having returned home after a loan period around the English club scene last season.

The alternative to the veterans is Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan, now seen in a new light after his Junior World Cup exploits last June. They may yet become the starting halfbacks in 2012/13.

But they remain a team in transition and certainly not settled. Keith Earls gets a shot at outside centre (Casey Laulala is rested) in an all-Irish midfield as Jimmy Downey seeks to nail down the number 12 slot.

All told, Munster should have enough about them to put the Dragons away without much hassle. That seems essential as next week they travel to the Ospreys before a meeting with Leinster at Lansdowne Road.

They will need to be settled by then.

MUNSTER: I Keatley; D Howlett (capt), K Earls, J Downey, S Zebo; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, M Sherry, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, B Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, D Foley, T O'Donnell, C Murray, D Barnes, JJ Hanrahan.

DRAGONS: D Evans; W Harries, A Hughes, A Smith, T Prydie; L Robling, J Evans; P Price, S Jones (capt), D Way; I Nimmo, A Jones; D Lydiate, J Groves, T Brown. Replacements: S Parry, A Coundley, T Ryan, T Faletau, L Evans, L Davies, A Tuilagi, P Leach.

Referee: Marius Mitrea(FIR).

Verdict: Munster to win.