Munster v Aironi, Musgrave Park 7.30pm (RTÉ)

RUGBY:THERE WILL be a large curiosity factor for this opening match. Are the Italians going to be the whipping boys or are they going to do some damage around the winter grounds of northern Europe?

As Aironi are a new franchise there is no form to go on but Munster have won all nine of their previous meetings against Italian teams and so go into this one at Musgrave Park as hot favourites.

Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls remain sidelined through injury and while the international rump are still in pre-season, the fit Denis Leamy makes a welcome comeback in the backrow.

Aironi have recruited strongly, including the capture of former Munster backrow Nick Williams.

McGahan sees Aironi making “a very, very strong challenge”, adding “their side contains Test match players with a lot of experience.”

Those players include hooker Fabio Ongaro, tighthead prop Salvatore Perugini and former Ulster backrow Carlo Del Fava.

Fullback Julien Laharrague and Ludovic Mercier, both former French internationals, will also be familiar to the Munster players.

There are competitive Munster debuts for ex-All Black centre Sam Tuitupou and former Leicester back Johne Murphy in a game the home side should dominate.

MUNSTER: F Jones; D Howlett, S Tuitupou, J Murphy, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley, M O’Driscoll, B Holland, D Ryan, N Ronan, D Leamy (capt). Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan, J Hayes, A Quinlan, P O’Mahony, D Williams, S Deasy, D Barnes.

AIRONI RUGBY: J Laharrague; G Rubini, R Quartaroli, D Des Fountain, G Toniolatti; L Mercier, T Tebaldi; A De Marchi, F Ongaro, S Perugini, C Del Fava, Q Geldenhuys, Erasmus, G Krause, N Williams. Replacements: A De Marchi, R Santamaria, L Milani, Marco Bortolami, A Birchall, M Wilson, A Benettin, G Pizarro

Betting: Munster 1/25. Aironi 10/1. Draw 50/1.

Referee: G Knox (SRU).

Verdict: Munster win.