Munster set to recall big guns for tough trip to Edinburgh

MUNSTER will bring back more of their heavy hitters for Friday’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh at Murrayfield as they seek to embellish an encouraging start with vital points on the road.

Paul O’Connell is still ruled out, but Donncha O’Callaghan, Jerry Flannery, David Wallace, Ronan O’Gara and Tomás O’Leary can all expect game time this weekend, albeit probably from the bench. It is also hoped that Lifeimi Mafi will be fit to make his first appearance of the season to further strengthen the Irish side.

It’s a season when Munster and Leinster particularly will be hard hit by the demands of the national team, but after three games, two pre-season ties and a league start, Munster coach Tony McGahan will be able to play with the last few pieces of the jigsaw to begin the slow build-up to the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup next month.