Rugby:Injury to seven of those involved in the Heineken Cup quarterfinal against Ulster last week has forced Munster coach Tony McGahan to ring the changes for the visit of Glasgow Warriors to Musgrave Park on Saturday ( KO: 7.15pm)
BJ Botha (ribs), Paul O'Connell (knee), James Coughlan (hand), Keith Earls (ankle), Ronan O'Gara (leg), Denis Hurley (leg) and David Wallace (knee) are all sidelined as are Danny Barnes (knee), Dave Foley (shoulder), Ian Nagle (shoulder) and Dave O'Callaghan (knee).
Neither O'Connell nor Earls, who had a scan this week, are serioulsy injured and are expected to be fit for Munster's game against Scarlets next week.
That allows for McGahan to retain three of the starting pack from last week, while there are four changes to the backline.
Ireland and Munster lock, Donncha O'Callaghan wins his 200th provincial cap and will partner Mick O'Driscoll, who captains the side, while Peter O'Mahony moves to number 8 in the absence of Coughlan. Donnacha Ryan is named at blindside wing forward.
In the backs the versatile Johne Murphy takes over from Earls at outside centre, while Luke O'Dea replaces Hurley and Ian Keatley comes in for the injured O'Gara with Tomas O'Leary preferred on this occasion to Conor Murray.
Glasgow is tied with Munster on 56 points as the race for the end of season play-offs reaches the home straight. Munster sits third in the table and Glasgow fourth.
Since 2008 Munster have won all 14 of the games staged at Musgrave Park, and have beaten Glasgow in each of the last four encounters.
“This is the latest in a long line of massive tests for the team. Munster away is one of the toughest games you can get, but the players have consistently risen to the challenges,” said coach Sean Lineen..
“We’ve only lost one of our last fifteen matches in the PRO12 and the quality of our performances in the home wins against Aironi and Cardiff Blues was very pleasing. Everyone needs to take it up another notch if we’re to claim another positive result again this weekend.”
Lineen has made six changes from the team that beat Cardiff 31-3 last time out.
Three of the switches are injury enforced, Ryan Wilson and Graeme Morrison missing with knee injuries and John Barclay not having recovered sufficiently from a blow to the head.
Peter Murchie, an early replacement for Morrison in the Cardiff clash, will start at full-back, with Stuart Hogg and Alex Dunbar teaming up in the centres. Ruaridh Jackson is named at outhalf.
Jon Welsh and Pat MacArthur come into the front row with the impressive Richie Gray starts in the boiler house, while Johnnie Beattie will line up at No.8 in place of Wilson.
“It’s going to be a monumentally physical, high-octane game, and the players can’t wait to get out there and show they have what it takes to win it,” added Lineen
Munster:F Jones; L O'Dea, J Murphy, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O'Leary: W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll capt; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony. Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, J Ryan, B Holland, P Butler, C Murray, S Deasy, I Dineen
Glasgow Warriors:P Murchie; F Aramburu, S Hogg, A Dunbar, C Shaw; R Jackson, C Cusiter; J Welsh, P MacArthur, M Cusack; R Gray; A Kellock (capt); R Harley, C Fusaro, J Beattie. Replacements: D Hall, R Grant, M Low, T Ryder, C Forrester, H Pyrgos, D Weir, T Seymour.
