Kidney to evaluate fringe players

Munster v Llanelli  at Musgrave Park (7.30) On TV: Setanta:It's not about revenge simply because it's not possible to compensate for losing a Heineken European Cup quarter-final with a victory in the Magners Celtic League game.

Neither of tonight's teams is at full strength and there are different dynamics as to what they hope to achieve from this match.

Llanelli have one eye on their European Cup semi-final with the Leicester Tigers while for Munster coach Declan Kidney this game represents an opportunity to further evaluate some fringe players ahead of next season. That's not to dismiss Munster's desire to win but victory won't be a consolation for what's gone before this season.

The Llanelli Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies has decided to make wholesale changes to a team that thumped Borders in their last outing. In the backs, only fullback Barry Davies, wing Mark Jones and centre Gavin Evans remain. Loosehead prop Phil John is the sole survivor in the front row.

Davies sugar-coated his decision to make sweeping alterations: "We respect Munster as they have been one of the most consistent sides over the past few years . . . We have been using a squad system all season and this game sees a continuation of that."

It's a decent Llanelli team including the league's top try scorer in Darren Daniel on the right wing and the club's leading points scorer in the tournament, outhalf Ceiron Thomas. Several first-team regulars may be missing but this presents an opportunity for others to impress ahead of the Tigers match, something to which tonight's captain, James Bater, alluded.

"This is an opportunity for a lot of players to show Phil what they can do. It would be a dream come true to be in the side to play in the Heineken Cup semi-finals so there is plenty to play for. It is going to be tough as Munster will no doubt be seeking revenge after we defeated them at Stradey Park a couple of weeks ago. Musgrave Park has been a bit of a fortress but we will go there in a confident frame of mind."

Munster are without a cluster of front-line players but have recalled Ronan O'Gara, John Hayes and Mick O'Driscoll to the starting line-up and have opted to include the athletic and underrated Donnacha Ryan at blindside flanker. Frankie Sheahan starts at hooker, with Denis Fogarty providing the back-up on the bench.

Brian Carney is joint top try scorer with two in as many games and the home side's supporters will be hoping his contribution in attack outweighs any defensive duties. They should be good enough to eke out a narrow victory.

MUNSTER: M Lawler; B Carney, B Murphy, L Mafi, A Horgan; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; D Ryan, J O'Sullivan, A Foley. Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, C Wyatt, J Coughlan, B O'Meara, J Manning, J Kelly.

LLANELLI: B Davies; D Daniel, M Watkins, G Evans, M Jones; C Thomas, L Davies; P John, K Owens, C Dunlea; I Afeaki, A Jones; D Jones, J Bater (capt), N Thomas. Replacements: J Davies, D George, V Cooper, G Thomas, C Stuart-Smith, P Mackey, G Evans.

Referee: P Allan (Scotland)

Last time they met: Llanelli 25 Munster 12.

Leading points scorers: Munster- Jeremy Manning 72. Llanelli- Ceiron Thomas 79.

Leading try scorers: Munster- Brian Carney, Tomás O'Leary, Lifiemi Mafi, David Wallace 2 each; Llanelli- Darren Daniel 7.

Verdict: Munster to win.