Celtic League:Ireland and Munster secondrow Paul O'Connell makes his first competitive start since he injured his hand against Scotland in this year's Six Nations Championship when he lines out in tonight's Magners Celtic League game against Edinburgh in Murrayfield.
O'Connell partners Mick O'Driscoll having been out of the game for almost two months and not having played in the Munster shirt since mid-January. It marks the start of the comeback for the player, who is expected to play a pivotal role in Ireland's World Cup campaign. He has not been selected to go on tour to Argentina along with a number of other high-profile Irish players including captain Brian O'Driscoll.
Overall, Munster coach Declan Kidney has made seven changes to the starting line-up that beat Dragons 15-7 last week. While O'Connell comes in Marcus Horan is rested along with John Hayes, O'Connell's usual partner, Donncha O'Callaghan and Irish number eight Denis Leamy.
Former rugby league international Brian Carney, who played left wing against the Dragons, goes to 15 for his first start in that position. The usual figure there, Christian Cullen, is not included in the squad. Ian Dowling moves from the right flank, where Anthony Horgan comes in, to the left side.
In essence Munster are playing for little other than pride. At 14 points off league leaders Cardiff Blues with just this match and a final game against Glasgow Warriors on May 12th, they are no longer title contenders.
Their intention from a few weeks back was simply to finish above Connacht and secure the third Irish position in the European Cup next season - provided it takes place. Munster have also been sensible in the use of their frontline internationals, who have a tough summer ahead, with several suffering from minor ailments and rested.
In the pack Frederico Pucciariello starts at loosehead prop instead of Horan, Frankie Sheahan remains at hooker and Hayes is replaced by Tony Buckley. O'Connell comes in for O'Callaghan and Anthony Foley takes the number eight jersey.
Edinburgh are just one place behind Munster and three points adrift. Scott Murray returns to the side as captain.
EDINBURGH:L Lopez Fleming; R Dewey, B Cairns, M Dey, S Webster; P Godman, G Laidlaw; A Jacobsen, A Kelly, G Cross, A Strokosch, S Murray, S Taylor, A McDonald, A Hogg. Replacements: D Hall, A Dickinson, F Pringle, R Rennie, S Cross, J Senio, D Hodge.
MUNSTER:B Carney; A Horgan, B Murphy, M Lifeimi, I Dowling; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; F Pucciariello, F Sheahan, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, A Quinlan, J O'Sullivan, A Foley. Replacements: D Fogarty, F Roche, D Leamy, D Wallace, B O'Meara, J Manning, M Lawlor.
Referee:P Fear (WRU).
Verdict:Munster win.
Edinburgh v Munster Murrayfield, 7.30
