A MARATHON and not a sprint for the PRO12 is what Munster may be thinking with their interesting but patchwork team to face Edinburgh.

There has probably been enough high wire acts by the side over the last two weeks to require some kick-back time, so Ronan O’Gara and his fellow Ireland players won’t be in Limerick to dig the team out of a hole if it slides towards a tight ending in Thomond Park tonight.

National policy of resting players kicks in this week and Tony McGahan is without 13 of his squad through injury or IRFU diktat. The positive side is that it allows the coach to give free rein to some of the younger heads.

Only two players, Will Chambers and Donncha O’Callaghan remain from the side that started against Leinster earlier in the month, while 10 players were involved in Munster’s British and Irish Cup win over Neath last weekend.

Wholesale change, not ordered by the coach, does provide opportunities and win or lose Munster will probably look at the match in just that light. McGahan is aware that the team has not being reaching the performance levels of old and although they’ve been winning, now seems like a ripe time to strike out for younger players willing and able.

“Look, whatever side is selected, the players all train together, all sit down and review and preview the opposition. They work together in training. So everyone understands what’s required,” said assistant coach Anthony Foley.

Edinburgh, like Munster, are coming off two great weekends in Europe but they have been off the pace in the league. Chris Paterson and Phil Godman return for the Scottish side, which has already beaten Munster 29-14 this season. Their knowledge of Munster, as illustrated in the Murrayfield match in September, will be strong.

MUNSTER: D Hurley; L O’Dea, W Chambers, D Barnes, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O’Leary; M Horan, D Fogarty, S Archer; D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll (capt); B Holland, T O’Donnell, P Butler. Replacements: S Henry, J Ryan, J Hayes, I Nagle, J Coughlan, D Williams, T Gleeson, S Deasy.

EDINBURGH: C Paterson; S Visser, J Thompson, J King, T Brown; P Godman, M Blair; K Traynor, S Lawrie (capt), J Gilding; S Cox, S Turnbull; N Talei, R Rennie, S McInally. Replacements: R Hislop, L Niven, E Lozada, R Grant, G Laidlaw, H Leonard, G Hunter.

Referee: N Paterson (Scotland).

Verdict: Edinburgh.