Kidney has internationals back as season gets serious

Glasgow v Munster, At Firhill Arena, 7.30pm:All of the Irish provinces will want to think about putting some points opposite their name on the league table. With the Welsh sides quick out of the blocks and occupying the top four places, this week is as good as any for Munster to start making their mark in the Magners Celtic League.

Fittingly, Munster coach Declan Kidney has sprinkled this week's side with his World Cup players. Internationals John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, David Wallace, Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan and Denis Leamy return to action, while Keith Earls is among the replacements.

Prop Hayes, secondrow O'Callaghan and flanker Wallace are named in the starting line-up, along with hooker Frankie Sheahan and scrumhalf Peter Stringer. Stringer and Sheahan came on as second-half replacements last time out against Ospreys.

All told there are eight changes, two of them positional, to the side that started in the Liberty Stadium. Rua Tipoki moves to outside centre, with Lifeimi Mafi wearing the number 12 shirt. On the return of tighthead John Hayes, Tony Buckley switches across to loosehead prop.

Elsewhere, O'Callaghan takes over from Mark Melbourne, who is named on the bench as Niall Ronan earns a deserved breather. Wallace takes up his familiar openside berth in a side that once again will be led by Anthony Foley, who wins his 184th competitive Munster cap.

Paul Warwick remains at outhalf. Ronan O'Gara and Kieran Lewis are not included.

Glasgow Warriors' only home loss in any competition since September 2006 was 8-19 to Ulster at Hughenden in January of this year, while the last three encounters between these teams have been won by the home side on the day.

Munster's last win in Glasgow was 28-26 back in October 2004.

For Glasgow, Lome Fa'atau will make his debut alongside Scotland flanker Kelly Brown, while World Cup players centre Andrew Henderson and outhalf Dan Parks return to the team.

Samoan international Fa'atau, who signed for Glasgow during the summer from Wellington Hurricanes, should require particular attention. He was top try scorer in the Super 14 last season with the Hurricanes.

"We're getting closer to our full strength side. We are developing some real competition for places, which is exactly what you need to drive a team forward," said Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen. "We are also getting closer to our European campaign, so I am looking for our boys to really front-up against a powerful Munster side."

Two new-look teams, both needing points; this is one Kidney will want - and even need - to win.

GLASGOW WARRIORS:B Stortoni; L Fa'atau, A Henderson, D Gibson, T Evans; D Parks, C O'Young; E Kalman, F Thomson, M Low, A Newman, A Kellock, S Swindall, J Barclay, K Brown. Replacements: E Milligan, M Collins, D Turner, J Beattie, S Pinder, S Barrow, H O'Hare.

MUNSTER:S Patne; B Carney, T Rua, M Lifeimi, I Dowling; P Warick, P Stringer; T Buckley. F Sheehan, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, D Wallace, A Foley (capt). Replacements: J Flannery, M Horan, M Melbourne, D Leamy, T O'Leary, J Manning, K Earls.

Last meeting:38-20 (Musgrave Park, May 2007).

Leading points scorers:Munster: P Warwick 44 pts. Glasgow: C Gregor 41.

Leading try scorers:Munster: P Warwick 2; Glasgow: no player on more than 1.

Referee:J Jones (WRU).

Verdict:Munster to win.