RUGBY:ANOTHER MUNSTER game not on television. Not even the red button can provide access for the faithful this time and if anyone is going to make a journey to see some rugby this weekend it is to Edinburgh not Parma.
So, with that in mind, an interesting test awaits Munster away from prying eyes. Aironi have lost all 14 Magners League outings to date but considering they scalped Biarritz in European competition at home, they would love nothing better than to break their duck against the league leaders. If they are ever going to catch Munster on the hop this is the weekend to do it.
Josh Sole is back from international duty in a backrow where big Nick Williams will be revved up to do some damage against former team-mates.
Denis Leamy, Ronan O’Gara and, belatedly, Peter Stringer have been promoted to Irish duty in Edinburgh meaning Donnacha Ryan goes to the blindside flank, to make room for Mick O’Driscoll and Ian Nagle at secondrow, while Duncan Williams gets a start at scrumhalf alongside Stade Francais-bound Paul Warwick at 10.
Should things go sour, there are re-enforcements with Alan Quinlan back in quick time from a dislocated elbow and Marcus Horan continues his small steps back from an injury/illness ravaged two years. Horan surely has an eye on the Irish World Cup squad but he needs a clear run from here on in.
With last year’s Irish under-20s winger Simon Zebo getting a rare start, Doug Howlett makes way as Denis Hurley switches to the right side.
Munster have the Dragons next and a trip to Cardiff before old friends Leinster come to Thomond Park.
AIRONI: D Demas; K Robertson, G Pavan, M Pratichetti, G Toniolatti; J Marshall, P Travagli; A De Marchi, T D’Apice, F Staibano; J Furno, M Bortolami (capt); J Sole, G Krause, N Williams. Replacements: R Santamaria, L Redolfini, A De Marchi, G Biagi, N Cattina, G Bronzini, R Bocchino, G Pizarro.
MUNSTER: J Murphy; D Hurley, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, S Zebo; P Warwick, D Williams; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; I Nagle, M O’Driscoll (capt); D Ryan, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan, S Archer, B Holland, A Quinlan, C Murray, D Cusack, D Howlett.
Referee: D Jones (WRU).
Verdict: Munster to win.
