Munster to rely on second string

Rugby:Munster will feel the pinch of the Irish management's player welfare programme against Edinburgh tomorrow night with coach Tony McGahan forced to contend without a host of frontliners and give youth its fling.

Of the side that started against Castres in Toulouse last weekend, only two are retained albeit in differed positions. Danny Barnes moves from the wing into the midfield while Denis Hurley will revert to fullback.

Up front, it’s an entire new pack but the likes of Donncha O’Callaghan, Marcus Horan and Mick O’Driscoll should provide a hardened edge. Despite the raft of changes – ten on the matchday 23 were involved in the second tier British and Irish Cup last weekend – Anthony Foley expects the players to front up.

"Look, whatever side is selected, the players all train together, all sit down and review and preview the opposition,” Munster’s assistant coach explained. “They work together in training. So everyone understands what's required.

"They've (Edinburgh) come off the back of two great weekends in Europe but so have we and with the game in Thomond Park with hopefully a massive support, the opportunity is there for fellas to make a case for themselves because there are places up for grabs in the team."

Leinster are also denied a number of Irish internationals due to the national squad policy but will send a side to Italy well capable of avenging last season’s 29-13 defeat at the hands of Benetton Treviso.

Leinster may be without the likes of Sean O’Brien, Mike Ross, Jonny Sexton and Rob Kearney but others, such as Gordon D’Arcy and Eoin Reddan are retained while Cian Healy makes his first start of the season and Fergus McFadden returns from injury.

Isaac Boss, a late try scorer off the bench against Glasgow in the Heineken Cup last Sunday, is named alongside Jamie Heaslip and Kevin McLaughlin among the replacements.

Eric Elwood may not be unduly affected by the IRFU’s policy but the Connacht coach is not without his issues as he prepares to welcome the Ospreys to the Sportsground.

Mike McCarthy will miss the game after picking up a ban for a dangerous tackle against Toulouse, his hit on Vincent Clerc deemed serious enough to warrant a fortnight on the sidelines.

Elwood will also be without Michael Swift and Eoin Griffin after they suffered injuries in the bruising defeat to the French powerhouses.

Munster(v Edinburgh): Denis Hurley; Luke O'Dea, Will Chambers, Danny Barnes, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Tomas O'Leary; Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty, Stephen Archer; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll capt; Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell, Paddy Butler. Replacements:Sean Henry, John Ryan, John Hayes, Ian Nagle, James Coughlan, Duncan Williams, Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy.

Leinster(v Benetton Treviso): Luke Fitzgerald; Fergus McFadden, Eoin O'Malley, Gordon D'Arcy, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan; Damian Browne, Devin Toner; Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings capt; Leo Auva'a. Replacements:Aaron Dundon, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip, Isaac Boss, Noel Reid, Brendan Macken

Connacht(v Ospreys): Gavin Duffy capt; Brian Tuohy, Dave McSharry, Henry Fa'afili, Tiernan O'Halloran; Miah Nikora, Paul O'Donohoe; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You; Dave Gannon, George Naoupu; TJ Anderson, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa. Replacements:Ethienne Reynecke, Ronan Loughney, Stewart Maguire, Mike Kearney, Eoghan Grace, Frank Murphy, Niall O'Connor, Mark McCrea.