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Munster Rugby coach Tony McGahan makes four changes, one positional, from the side that defeated Edinburgh, for his side’s Magners League clash with the Dragons in Rodney Parade (kick-off 5.30pm). Kieran Lewis comes onto the wing in place of Doug Howlett in the only change to the backline with Leamy taking up the berth at openside.
Anthony Horgan is named on the bench, while the one positional change up front sees Alan Quinlan return to the more familiar role of wing-forward with Donnacha Ryan who mised the game against Edinburgh because of a family bereavement, restored to partner captain Mick O’Driscoll in the second row.
The other changes see Darragh Hurley comes into the front row in place of Federico Pucciariello and with Ryan’s return, Niall Ronan has to be content with a place on the bench.
Munster: Denis Hurley; Kieran Lewis, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Ciaran O’Boyle; Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer; Darragh Hurley, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley; Mick O’Driscoll capt, Donnacha Ryan; Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy, Nick Williams. Replacements: Michael Essex, Timmy Ryan, Billy Holland, Niall Ronan, Duncan Williams, Jeremy Manning, Anthony Horgan.
In news form the Welsh club, Rhys Thomas will put club before country when he plays for Newport Gwent Dragons against Munster in the Magners League at Rodney Parade.
Prop forward Thomas, yesterday named in the Wales starting line-up for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy in Rome tomorrow week, will pack down against the Heineken Cup champions seven days before only his second championship start for his country.
Head coach Paul Turner has selected Jason Tovey at full back with Japanese international James Arlidge at No 10 to partner Wayne Evans at half back as the Dragons go in search of a third straight tournament win.
15 Jason Tovey 14 Kevin Morgan 13 Rory Sidey 12 Ashley Smith 11 Martyn Thomas 10 James Arlidge 9 Wayne Evans 1 Hall Nigel 2 Tom Willis (Capt) 3 Rhys Thomas 4 Sean Tomes 5 Andrew Hall 6 Bearman Joe 7 Richard Parks 8 Grant Webb. Replacements 16 Steve Jones 17 Gethin Robinson 18 Lewis Evans 19 Danny Lydiate 20 Phillip Dollman 21 Gareth Maule 22 Robert Lewis
