Munster v Edinburgh preview

Published: Friday, 19. October, 2012 in category Heineken Cup
Hunter: Replaces Laidlaw this weekend

Edinburgh were demolished 45-0 by Saracens in the opening round of Pool One fixtures last week.

Head coach Michael Bradley has made one enforced alteration, which sees Greig Laidlaw replaced by Gregor Hunter after the captain failed to recover from the shoulder injury he sustained in last week's match at Murrayfield.

The remaining four are tactical switches, with Ben Atiga and Greig Tonks set to make their European Cup debuts for the club at full-back and centre respectively.

Up front he visitors will feature Scotland tighthead Geoff Cross, while Fiji captain Netani Talei comes in at number eight.

Talei's introduction means back-rower Stuart McInally moves to the openside at the expense of Ross Rennie, while David Denton retains the blindside berth.

After a 22-17 defeat against Racing Metro in their pool 1 clash, Munster will also be looking to return to winning ways at Thomond Park.

They will have to do so without the injured Ronan O'Gara at the weekend, though Donncha O'Callaghan returns to partner Paul O'Connell in the second-row with Mick Sherry starting ahead of Damien Varley.

Ian Keatley gets a predictable first start at 10, with Denis Hurley moving back into the full-back berth.

Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett (capt), 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean Dougall, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mick Sherry, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.

Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Paddy Butler, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Felix Jones.

Edinburgh: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Ben Atiga, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Gregor Hunter, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Stuart McInally, 6 David Denton, 5 Sean Cox, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 John Yapp.

Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 Willem Nel, 19 Rob McAlpine, 20 Dimitri Basilaia, 21 Chris Leck, 22 Matt Scott, 23 Tom Brown.