Munster's experience to sway matters

Edinburgh Rugby travel to Limerick keen to maintain their excellent form, an illustration of which can be gleaned from their 33-3 victory over the Dragons last week. They will also draw upon a statistical footnote. The last time theses two teams met in Ireland, the Scottish side prevailed, 28-17 at Musgrave Park.

Coach Frank Hadden is bullish about their chances. "Having won in Cork last season, nothing would give us more pleasure than to dent their exceptional record at Thomond Park in Limerick."

Edinburgh will be without their Lions number eight Simon Taylor, who is resting a minor hamstring injury.

Munster have secured runners-up spot in the Celtic League and a home Celtic Cup tie against the side finishing seventh in the league but they will be determined to give departing coach Alan Gaffney some silverware before he returns to Australia.

Munster, the only side in the Celtic League unbeaten at home this season, include a couple players who'll tour New Zealand with the Lions in John Hayes and Paul O'Connell while Donncha O'Callaghan is on the bench. Jason Holland is preferred at outhalf.

There is a tendency for the away side to do well in this fixture, with just one home victory recorded in five meetings between the teams.

It should therefore be a decent contest, but Munster's experience may just see them edge home.

MUNSTER: S Payne; P Devlin, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan; J Holland, P Stringer; G McIlwham, F Sheahan, J Hayes, T Hogan, P O'Connell, A Quinlan, D Wallace, A Foley (capt). Replacements: E McGovern, J Flannery, D O'Callaghan, D Leamy, M Prendergast, P Burke, J Kelly.

EDINBURGH: H Southwell; C Paterson, M Di Rollo, B Laney, S Webster; P Godman, M Blair; A Jacobsen, A Kelly, C Smith, N Hines, S Murray, T Blackadder (capt), A Hogg, D Callam. Replacements: D Hall, A Dickinson, A Kellock, S Cross, R Lawson, C Joiner, M Pyke.

Referee: N Williams (Wales).