Munster's alterations may not cut it

Llanelli v Munster: There are few more difficult places to travel thawest Wales chasing points but that's the task facing Munster as they bid to kick-start a season that has yet to gather any sustained momentum in the Magners League.

Being deprived of an entire pack and first-choice halfbacks because of national squad commitments turns a steep hill into something of a mountain.

Coach Declan Kidney will aim to coax a performance from a team boasting promising youngsters and an experienced core. Former Taranaki centre Lifiemi Mafi - he of hand-off fame - will make his first start for Munster, partnering Barry Murphy, with South African Trevor Halstead named on the bench. Jeremy Manning and Tomás O'Leary form a young halfback combination.

Alan Quinlan is the only survivor in the pack from the victory over Bourgoin and he starts at number eight. Outside of promising loosehead prop Darragh Hurley, there is still a wealth of experience in the pack, manifest in the presence of new captain Mick O'Driscoll, Chris Wyatt (playing against his former club), Freddie Pucciariello and Australian flanker Tim McGann.

John O'Sullivan gets a rare outing, so too hooker Andy Kyriacou. Better news for the coach is that Anthony Horgan and Christian Cullen returned to training this week following injury.

Munster are not alone in having to make sweeping alterations (10); Llanelli make nine changes from the side that beat Ulster in the Heineken European Cup. Among those missing will be club captain and Ireland flanker Simon Easterby and Welsh halfbacks Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel. Former Osprey James Bater will lead the Scarlets for the first time.

Llanelli's leading try scorer in the league, wing Darren Daniel (5), is recalled along with centre Matthew Watkins, while Ceiron Thomas and Clive Stuart-Smith offer a new halfback pairing.

Up front, Aled Gravelle replaces Matthew Rees at hooker, Adam Jones will start in the second row, with Inoke Afeaki moving to the back row alongside Bater and Nathan Thomas.

Llanelli will start strongly and the visitors will have to match that intensity. It could be an entertaining tussle, especially if Munster can get some ball and release an in-form backline: Manning will be a key player.

Llanelli should just about have enough in hand.

LLANELLI SCARLETS: B Davies; D James, R King, M Watkins, D Daniel; C Thomas, C Stuart-Smith; I Thomas, A Gravelle, D Manu; V Cooper, A Jones; I Afeaki, J Bater (capt), N Thomas. Replacements: P John, K Owens, L Reed, J Mills, L Williams, M Stoddart, G Evans.

MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, I Dowling; J Manning, T O'Leary; D Hurley, A Kyriacou, F Pucciariello; C Wyatt, M O'Driscoll capt; J O'Sullivan, T McGann, A Quinlan. Replacements: S Cronin, T Ryan, D Ryan, J Coughlan, G Hurley, E Hickey, T Halstead.

Referee: K Deaker (New Zealand).

Most recent meetings: (September 2005) At Musgrave Park: Munster 14 Llanelli 13. (May 2006) At Stradey Park: Llanelli 18 Munster 6.

Leading points scorers: Llanelli - Stephen Jones 55. Munster - Jeremy Manning 23.

Leading try scorers: Llanelli - Darren Daniel 5. Munster - David Wallace 2.

Verdict: Llanelli to win.