Munster await a definitive fitness report on right wing John O'Neill, their only injury concern prior to Friday night's opening Celtic League game against Edinburgh at Myreside (7.0). He took a bang on the shoulder in the defeat by Bath and Dominic Crotty stands by to replace him. Australian newcomer Jim Williams is not in the team nor on the bench. John Langford is not expected to return to Ireland until early September. Ronan O'Gara is resting after his Lions' exertions.
Munster: J Staunton; J O'Neill/D Crotty, M Mullins, J Kelly, A Horgan; J Holland, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes; M Galwey, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: M Horan, J Blaney, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, M Prendergast, K Keane, C Mahony or D Crotty.
Ulster
Ulster give competitive debuts to Paddy Wallace, Adam Larkin and Robbie Brink in their inaugural Celtic League match against Swansea at Ravenhill on Friday night (7.30). Wallace, an outhalf on the Ireland team that won the FIRA under-19 World Championship in France three years ago is named at full back.
New Zealand-born newcomer Larkin will partner Jonathan Bell in the centre with Ryan Constable on the bench. Former Springbok international flanker Robbie Brink has recovered from a bang on the head and will take his place in the backrow alongside Tony McWhirter and team captain Andy Ward. Paddy Johns and Gary Longwell win the second row berths with Jeremy Davidson among the replacements.
Ulster: P Wallace; J Topping, J Bell. A Larkin, J Cunningham; D Humphreys, B Free; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, S Best; P Johns, G Longwell; R Brink, T McWhirter, A Ward (capt). Replacements: R Weir, C Boyd, J Davidson, M Haslett, B Cunningham, R Constable, K Campbell.
Connacht
Mark Mconnell will lead Connacht in what is probably the most difficult opening assignment for any Irish province in the Celtic League.
Coach Steph Nel has introduced a few newcomers to the Connacht squad including Buccaneers scrumhalf Chris Keane. Jim Ferris is currently injured.
Peter Bracken, who played with Galwegians last season, has switched allegiance from Munster to the western province with Martin Cahill travelling in the opposite direction. Garryowen flanker Paul Neville, named at openside, is another to make a similar journey. Ireland under-21 number eight Des Dillon will play his first senior provincial game in the green of Connacht rather than the blue of Leinster, for whom he played at underage level.
Wayne Munn is named on the left wing despite playing his club rugby in the centre. Promising young openside Johnny O'Connor is on the bench. Having suffered a serious arm injury last season, Nel does not want to rush him back too quickly.
Connacht: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, W Munn; E Elwood, C Keane; D McFarland, M Uijs, P Bracken; M McConnell (capt), R Frost; M Swift, D Dillon, P Neville. Replacements from: R McCormack, T Kearns, C Rigney, J O'Connor, D Browne, E Reddan, M McHugh, D McCabe.
Leinster
Leinster will announce their team to play Glasgow on Friday night at Donnybrook (7.35) today. Definitely out are Paul Wallace, Eric Miller, Peter Smyth and Declan O'Brien.
Wallace will be in contention for a place in the Ulster game while Miller has one week to go after suffering concussion in a friendly against Terenure College. Smyth's operation was a complete success. O'Brien damaged a knee in the friendly against Connacht and could be out for up to six weeks. Better news is that Blackrock College outhalf Emmet Farrell has been given the all clear to resume full training following an operation to repair cruciate knee ligament damage.
Fixtures
Friday
Celtic League - Edinburgh v Munster, Myreside (7.0); Leinster v Glasgow, Donnybrook (7.35); Ulster v Swansea, Ravenhill (7.30).
Saturday
Celtic League - Cardiff v Connacht, Arms Park (2.30).
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