Munster announces team to face Edinburgh

Munster has announced its team to face Edinburgh in Friday's Magners League opener at Murrayfield (kicks off at 7.30pm).

Doug Howlett retains his number 15 jersey, with Keith Earls moving to the wing. The Tipoki/Mafi partnership is restored to midfield.

Munster: D Howlett; K Earls, L Mafi, R Tipoki, I Dowling; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell capt; D Ryan, J O'Sullivan, D Wallace.

Replacements: F Sheahan, F Pucciariello, M O'Driscoll, J Melck, P Stringer, P Warwick, B Murphy.

Edinburgh: Hugo Southwell; Chris Paterson, Calum MacRae, Nick De Luca, Simon Webster; Phil Godman, Mike Blair capt; Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross; Craig Hamilton, Ben Gissing; Matt Mustchin, Alan MacDonald, Allister Hogg.

Replacements: Andrew Kelly, Gavin Kerr, Scott Newlands, David Callam, Greig Laidlaw, Mark Robertson, Andrew Turnbull.