Flying Dragons a stern test for Munster eight

Celtic League Preview/Munster v Gwent Dragons: The Dragons achieved a notable landmark last season when they beat Munster at their Limerick citadel, Thomond Park, completing a double over the Irish province last season and this match represents a clash of the two in-form sides in the tournament.

Munster won their sixth successive game at Ravenhill last week when beating Ulster but one interesting statistic is that they have not won on their last three outings in Cork. The Dragons have also racked up six wins in succession, their last defeat against Cardiff at the Arms Park on September 11th.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney hands hooker James Blaney his first start this season in a side that shows five changes from the one that started against Ulster.

Donncha O'Callaghan is required at Lansdowne Road this afternoon so former Australian international Tom Bowman will partner Trevor Hogan in the second row.

David Wallace had a superb game at number eight in Ravenhill but Gaffney has opted to switch him to openside for this match, with Jim Williams at number eight and Denis Leamy at blindside flanker. Rob Henderson has been restored to the midfield alongside Shaun Payne.

Christian Cullen is the tournament's leading try scorer with eight and tonight's faces his closest pursuer and fellow full back in the Dragons' Kevin Morgan (5).

There is no place in the Welsh side for their leading points scorer, Ceri Sweeney who was away on national duty last night. Instead Craig Warlow has been handed the number 10 jersey.

The visitors will present a very tough challenge and of Munster's recent outings in this competition this is undoubtedly the toughest.

First and foremost this will be a stern examination of the Munster eight, particularly the front five. The set-pieces will have to be rock solid and if events pan out like that then Munster might have an edge in the backs, especially, in Paul Burke at outhalf, to make the most of that possession.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; M Lawler, S Payne, R Henderson, A Horgan; P Burke, M Prendergast; F Roche, J Blaney, G McIlwham; T Hogan, T Bowman; J Williams (capt), D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: M Storey, D Fogarty, T Hayes, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Holland, M Mullins/M McPhail.

NEWPORT/GWENT DRAGONS: K Morgan; G Wyatt, N Brew, S Tuipulotu, B Breeze; C Warlow, G Baber; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony; I Gough, P Sidoli; J Ringer, J Forster (capt), R Bryan. Replacements (from): K Crawford A Black, R Thomas, R Oakley S Winn, J Bryant, J Ireland.

Referee: Mike Hall (Scotland)

Head to head (recent meetings): October 2003 (CL) at Rodney Parade - The Dragons 29, Munster 6; March 2004 (CL) at Thomond Park - Munster 6, The Dragons 16

Leading points scorers: Munster - Paul Burke 45. Dragons - Ceri Sweeney 64

Leading try scorers: Munster - Christian Cullen 8. Dragons - Kevin Morgan 5.

Verdict: Munster.