A WEEK out from the start of the Heineken Champions Cup, Munster will be aiming to keep their play-off hopes alive when they seek their first away win of the United Rugby Championship in Edinburgh tonight (kick-off 7.35pm on TG4).
Conditions look ideal in Scotland, where a dry evening with temperatures of around 8C is forecast.
It will be an emotional evening at DAM Health Stadium, which hosts the first professional match in Scotland since Doddie Weir lost his battle against motor neurone disease.
Supporters have been encouraged to wear tartan garments. A moment’s applause will be held in the former Scotland international’s memory before kick-off.
Seven Scotland internationals return to Edinburgh’s starting line-up, while Munster prop John Ryan makes his 200th appearance for his province, with Simon Zebo starting on the wing.
For the record, Munster’s other 200 Club members include: Donncha O’Callaghan, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Alan Quinlan, Dave Kilcoyne, Mick O’Driscoll, David Wallace, and Anthony Foley.
Munster: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Patrick Campbell.
Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Duhan van der Merwe; Blair Kinghorn, Ben Vellacott; Pierre Schoeman, Paddy Harrison, Luan de Bruin; Jamie Hodgson, Grant Gilchrist (co-capt); Jamie Ritchie (co-capt), Luke Crosbie, Viliame Mata.
Replacements: Tom Cruse, Boan Venter, WP Nel, Marshall Sykes, Nick Haining, Charlie Shiel, Jaco van der Walt, James Lang.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France).
