Munster hoping for repeat of Mafi magic against Scarlets
Leinster also play Welsh opposition, but have home advantage at Donnybrook tonight (Setanta Sports, 7.30pm) against the Newport Gwent Dragons.
Both Munster coach Declan Kidney and Leinster’s Michael Cheika have had to ring the changes because of Ireland’s involvement in the autumn series of internationals.
Munster find themselves struggling to impose themselves in the league, but Mafi’s availability will be a boost, particularly after his impressive impact when introduced in last week’s Heineken Cup victory over Bourgoin at Thomond Park. Mafi takes over from Trevor Halstead, who is named on the bench in a Munster side that will be led by Mick O’Driscoll.
There are ten changes from the side that played against Edinburgh in mid-October in the last Magners League game. Further good news for Munster is that Anthony Horgan and Christian Cullen took a considerable part in training yesterday and should return to action soon.
James Bater will lead the Scarlets out for the first time in a team that shows nine changes, one positional, from the side that defeated Ulster last Friday in the Heineken Cup. With Welsh stars Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones and Irish flanker Simon Easterby unavailable because of international duties, the former Osprey has been given the armband in a vital game for the Scarlets. Winger Darren Daniel and centre Matthew Watkins get a chance to shine while Ceiron Thomas and Clive Stuart-Smith provide a new halfback pairing.
In the forwards, Aled Gravelle replaces Matthew Rees at hooker while Adam Jones starts at second row, with Inoke Afeaki moving to the back row alongside Bater and Nathan Thomas, who form an entirely new triumvirate at the back of the scrum.
Meanwhile, Christian Warner will make his 50th appearance for Leinster against the Dragons.
He is one of seven changes from the team that started last week’s game with Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup.
Luke Fitzgerald is named at full back and he is joined in a fast back three by Gary Brown and Denis Hickie. In the pack, there is a first start for Samoan international prop Fosi Pala’amo while Owen Finegan will partner Cameron Jowitt in the second row.
Stephen Keogh, Keith Gleeson and Jamie Heaslip continue in the back row, while the side will be captained by Felipe Contepomi. Jowitt admitted that the loss to Edinburgh would take a while to get out of the system, but he believes Leinster have the capacity to roll up the sleeves and move on.
He noted that the standard in the Magners League appears to have gone up from last season.
“So far this season, I’ve played half a game against Munster and I picked up an injury away to the Borders, but it was tough going,” he said.
Jowitt knows too that competition for places is more intense. “Stephen Keogh has been playing so well and there is competition with the likes of Owen Finegan, Ciaran Potts, Des Dillon and Richie Leyden,” he said.
Flanker Jamie Ringer leads the Dragons for the first time on his return following a hamstring injury.
L. Fitzgerald, G. Brown, K. Lewis, C. Warner, D. Hickie, F. Contepomi (captain), C. Willis, R. McCormack, B. Blaney, F. Pala’amo, O. Finegan, C. Jowitt, S. Keogh, J. Heaslip, K. Gleeson.
R. Corrigan, H. Vermaas, A. Byrnes, N. Ronan, A. Dunne, M. Berne, R. McCarron.
G Wyatt, N Brew, P Emerick, A Smith, R Fussell, M Hercus, A Walker, A Black, K Crawford, L Harrison, A Hall, P Sidoli, J Bearman, J Ringer (c), N Fitisemanu
B Daly, I George, B Griffiths, C Charvis, A Brew, C Warlow, J Ireland.
B Davies, D James, R King, M Watkins, D Daniel, C Thomas, C Stuart-Smith; I Thomas, A Gravelle, D Manu, V Cooper, A Jones, I Afeaki, J Bater (capt), N Thomas.
P John, K Owens, L Reed, J Mills, L Williams, M Stoddart, G Evans.
S Payne; J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, I Dowling; J Manning, T O’Leary; D Hurley, A Kyriacou, F Pucciariello; C Wyatt, M O’Driscoll (capt); J O’Sullivan, T McGann, A Quinlan.
S Cronin, T Ryan, D Ryan, J Coughlan, G Hurley, E Hickey, T Halstead.
