Staunton crucial to Munster plans

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has been forced to make nine personnel and two positional changes in his unbeaten Connacht side to face Newport at the Sportsground tomorrow evening. Crucially, versatile back Jeremy Staunton will not be among those embarking on the World Cup adventure, with Connacht's Mark McHugh preferred by Eddie O'Sullivan as back-up. Ulsterman Paddy Wallace is out of the Ireland reckoning through injury.

It was Staunton's boot that ensured a tight Munster victory in Edinburgh last Friday, when his seven penalties and conversion, totalling 23 points, saw the province squeeze out a narrow 28-26 win at the Meadowbank Stadium.

Jason Holland moves from outhalf into the centre while captain Jim Williams switches from blindside flanker to the back of the scrum at number eight in the positional changes.

Mike Prendergast comes in at scrumhalf for Dominic Malone, where he partner's the experienced Killian Keane, and on the wing, Dominic Crotty, who replaced John O'Neill in the second period against Edinburgh last week, starts on the left flank.

In the front row Marcus Horan, who is travelling with the Irish squad as insurance cover, and John Hayes are replaced with Simon Kerr and Rob Laffan and Mick Galwey comes into the match from the beginning to form a second-row partnership with Mick O'Driscoll.

The two flankers also change with Eddie Halvey and Denis Leamy starting in place of Russia-bound Alan Quinlan and Anthony Foley.

"We are happy with our results so far and we are relaxed about the international calls - we always knew that was going to happen. But it has given the chance to our youngsters and a lot of them have held their hands up and produced the goods," said Gaffney.

"Swansea are a very good side and it is going to be a difficult match for us. They will consider that they had a disappointing run last season but with each match they play under new coach John Connolly, they will get it together more and more."

Munster currently top the Pool One standings after three wins from their three opening matches, with tomorrow's opponents Swansea sitting in fourth position after two defeats.

Swansea prepare to travel to Cork still concerned over the fitness of Lions centre Scott Gibbs and Wales full back Kevin Morgan. Gibbs is suffering from an ankle injury and Morgan is nursing a dead leg.

Swansea manager Byron Mugford stated that the chances of either of them making kick-off are "hanging in the balance".

Leinster, who are also seriously depleted, will select their starting team to face Cardiff tonight or tomorrow morning.

MUNSTER (v Swansea) J Staunton; M Lawlor,M Mullins, J Holland, D Crotty; K Keane, M Prendergast; S Kerr, F Sheahan, R Laffan; M Galwey, M O'Driscoll; E Halvey, D Leamy, J Williams capt. Replacements: W O'Kelly, J Blaney, T Hogan, C McMahon, D Malone, C Mahony, J O'Neill.