Shot in the arm needed before starting title defence

Rugby/ Celtic League: In their hour of need, Munster return to their citadel. As with both victories over Edinburgh last season, Munster go into this match needing a restorative lift on the eve of Heineken European Cup action.

For their own sense of well-being and confidence, the European champions require a victory and a trademark performance before opening the defence of their crown with a daunting trek to Welford Road nine days' hence.

Munster currently languish in 10th place in the table, albeit only five points behind third-placed Leinster. In many respects, though, especially given the absence from much of their pre-season and early matches of a dozen players which has been compounded by a rash of injuries, they have won their two winnable games (at home) and lost their three on the road. But in a season where they aspire to emulate Tiger Woods more than Colin Montgomerie, they want more than par for the course.

"If the season ended now we wouldn't qualify for next season's Heineken Cup," observed Declan Kidney, sounding a slightly alarmist note, but you can see where he's coming from. That is the reality of their current position, and tonight's visitors will not be inclined to offer respite.

Edinburgh are unbeaten in their last four league matches, although against that Munster have won nine of their last 10 home games, and for the third season running take them to Thomond Park, where wins in each of the last two seasons helped them complete doubles over the Scottish outfit.

Both of last season's victories were timely, given they were also restorative wins before returning to Euro action. Indeed, last season's cracker at this venue, one of the best league games of the season, was the precursor to their semi-final win over Leinster.

Now Munster are looking for a response to that hurtful defeat. "We weren't as clever as we might have been in terms of playing too much of the game in our own half," said Kidney, and by way of explanation added: "We got into the Leinster 22 on four occasions and scored (tries) on two of them. But Leinster were very clinical in their execution. And they can do that. That is why they can scare any team with that threat."

Edinburgh will ask similarly testing questions of the Munster defence, and have added to their touchline-to-touchline game by getting their big backrowers and locks rumbling through the middle. They have also conceded the least number of tries and least number of points thus far in the league this season.

Head coach Lynn Howells has made four changes to the side which beat Glasgow. Hugo Southwell returns at fullback after coming off the bench to score the only try in Edinburgh's last match. David Callam comes in for Allister Hogg who was injured in the victory over Glasgow. Alan MacDonald will play his first league match this season after being selected at openside flanker and Matt Mustchin is restored to the second row.

"We've made the changes because of the calibre of the side we're playing, and those players coming in give strength in certain areas that we'll need against Munster," said Howells.

"As far as Edinburgh is concerned, this is probably the best game we could have before we go into the Heineken Cup, playing the current European champions. It gives the squad an opportunity to play at the highest level before we face Agen next week.

After his impressive return to Munster colours as a replacement last week against Leinster, Barry Murphy is selected in the starting XV. Also returning from injury is Shaun Payne, while Denis Leamy retains the number six shirt having come on as a ninth-minute replacement for Alan Quinlan in that Leinster game.

John Hayes makes his first appearance this season in a Munster match day 22 and coach Declan Kidney will wait until before kick-off to decide on the back replacements with the quartet of Brian O'Meara, John Kelly, Eoghan Hickey and newcomer Diogo Mateus vying for the three back replacement berths.

At Thomond Park, 7.30pm.

(Deferred showing on Setanta Sports).

MUNSTER: S Payne; T O'Leary, B Murphy, T Halstead, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt); D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley. Replacements (from): Andy Kyriacou, John Hayes, Mick O'Driscoll, Denis Leamy, Alan Quinlan or Tim McGann, Brian O'Meara/ John Kelly/ Eoghan Hickey/Diogo Mateus (three from four).

EDINBURGH: H Southwell; C Paterson (capt), M Di Rollo, R Dewey, S Webster; P Godman; M Blair; A Jacobsen, D Hall, A Dickinson, M Mustchin, S Murray, A Strokosch, A MacDonald, D Callam. Replacements: A Kelly, C Smith, D Hewett, F Pringle, G Laidlaw, S Cross, D Hodge.

Referee: Phil Fear (WRU).

Previous meetings: (01-02) Edinburgh 22 Munster 25; (02-03) Edinburgh 21 Munster 28; (03-04) Edinburgh 20 Munster 9; Munster 17 Edinburgh 28; (04-05) Edinburgh 0 Munster 11; Munster 30 Edinburgh 20; (05-06) Edinburgh 17 Munster 18; Munster 36 Edinburgh 15.

Form guide: Munster - L W L W L. Edinburgh - L W W D W.

Leading points scorers: Munster - Jeremy Manning 23, Ronan O'Gara 21. Edinburgh - Chris Paterson 53.

Leading try scorers: Munster - David Wallace 2. Edinburgh - Six different scorers on one.