Glasgow v Munster: Teams
Mick O'Driscoll will lead Munster against Glasgow Warriors in Friday's Magners League clash at Firhill.
Last Updated: 26/03/09 5:01pm
Mick O'Driscoll will lead Munster against Glasgow Warriors at Firhill while Peter Stringer starts in the number nine shirt with Tomas O'Leary on the bench.
Although named in the extended squad released on Wednesday, Ian Dowling does not make the matchday 22 but Barry Murphy does, having recovered from the shoulder injury that ruled him out for the past number of weeks.
Dowling took a full part in training on Thursday and is expected to be fit for consideration for the game against Leinster.
"Obviously we have to be happy where we are in terms of league position as the competition restarts after the Six Nations," said Munster coach Tony McGahan about the task his side face on Friday.
"The squad have worked extremely hard, applied themselves well. However, we recognise how difficult a fixture this is. Glasgow haven't been beaten in Firhill by an Irish side in almost two years and that sort of form gives a side huge confidence.
Momentous
"They have almost all their internationals back and there has never been much between us in recent times - our form up to now.
"While very satisfying, or our relative League positions wont be a factor on Friday. They (Glasgow) are only one win off fourth spot.
Meanwhile, Flanker James Eddie and winger Lome Fa'atau will return to the Glasgow Warriors starting line-up.
Eddie will make only his fourth appearance of the season having been forced out in the early part due to a shoulder injury and latterly due to knee ligament damage. Of the three games he has started this year, two were momentous victories for the Warriors.
The 23-year-old marked his comeback from shoulder surgery in the New Year clash against city rivals Edinburgh in the David Lloyd 1872 Cup when the Warriors reversed the previous week's 39-6 defeat into a gutsy 25-20 victory at Firhill.
Opportunities
That was followed up with an historic 26-33 win in France over one of the most decorated sides in Europe - Toulouse - when a scrum collapsed on his knee.
"I've really enjoyed training this week," said Eddie. "There's a real buzz around the squad now that everyone's back together after the break for the Six Nations.
"Personally I was really happy to re-sign on Monday and aim to ensure I continue to progress in Glasgow colours. I'm itching to get back out on the pitch at Firhill and there aren't many better opportunities than when the European champions come to town."
Samoan international flyer Fa'atau has made a return to full training this week having recovered sufficiently from a shin bone injury which has ruled him out of front-line action for three and a half months.
He replaces Hefin O'Hare - who is on Scotland 7s duty at the IRB Sevens World Series event in Hong Kong - on the right wing.
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Max Evans, 12 Ruaridh Jackson, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mark McMillan, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 James Eddie, 5 Alastair Kellock (c), 4 Tim Barker, 3 Moray Low, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Dan Turner, 19 Calum Forrester, 20 Colin Gregor, 21 Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, 22 Peter Horne.
Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Barry Murphy, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mick O'Driscoll (c), 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Federico Pucciariello.
Replacements: 16 Michael Essex, 17 Darragh Hurley, 18 Billy Holland, 19 Tommy O'Donnell, 20 Tomas O'Leary, 21 Jeremy Manning, 22 Kieran Lewis.