Munster v Edinburgh: Teams

Chris Paterson: Back at full-back for Edinburgh

Munster coach Tony McGahan rings the changes for Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Edinburgh with a number of youngsters given their chance.

The hosts have 13 players unavailable through injury - six of those current internationals - and the likes of Paul O'Connell, Ronan O'Gara and Conor Murray are unavailable because of national squad policy.

Only two players - Will Chambers and Donncha O'Callaghan - remain from the side that started against Leinster earlier this month.

Ten of Saturday's matchday squad were involved in Munster's British & Irish Cup win over Neath last weekend, while two more, skipper Mick O'Driscoll and Scott Deasy were in France as back-up for the Heineken Cup side.

Assistant coach Anthony Foley believes it is a chance for fringe players to stake their claim for full-time starting berths.

"Whatever side is selected, the players all train together, all sit down and review and preview the opposition. They work together in training. So everyone understands what's required," said Foley.

"They've (Edinburgh) come off the back of two great weekends in Europe but so have we and with the game in Thomond Park with hopefully a massive support, the opportunity is there for fellas to make a case for themselves because there are places up for grabs in the team."

Edinburgh will have Chris Paterson and Phil Godman back in their starting line-up as they bid to complete a league double over the champions folllowing their 29-14 victory in Scotland.

Edinburgh's coach Michael Bradley is optimistic about his side's chances.

Confidence

"The last three weeks of successes all started with a win away against Benetton in Treviso which gave us confidence going into London Irish, which we converted, followed by the match against Racing Metro, which was a special day for everyone that was there," he said.

"We've won three matches in a row but it would be great to win four. To do that we need to keep our performance levels up and show the same commitment for 80 minutes that we have in these three previous games.

"The boys are in a good place. They're looking forward to the challenge against Munster away and then Aironi back home next week; both of which are important to us and our season."

Godman's start is the latest positive step in the return of the 23-times capped stand-off, while Paterson starts for the first time since straining his groin on his return match from the Rugby World Cup against Leinster in October.

Paterson's return sees Jim Thompson move in one place to outside centre where he partners James King who, like try-scoring winger Tom Brown, has been promoted from the bench following an impressive replacement showing against Racing Metro last weekend.

Sep Visser, the 20-year-old younger brother of Tim, has been handed his first competitive start on the right wing, while Scotland and British Lions scrum-half Mike Blair reforms a familiar half-back partnership with Godman on his 150th match in the black and red.

Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Luke O'Dea, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Danny Barnes, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Paddy Butler, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Billy Holland, 5 Mick O'Driscoll (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Sean Henry, 17 John Ryan, 18 John Hayes, 19 Ian Nagle, 20 James Coughlan, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 Tom Gleeson, 23 Scott Deasy.

Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Sep Visser, 13 Jim Thompson, 12 James King, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Stuart McInally, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Netani Talei, 5 Steven Turnbull, 4 Sean Cox, 3 Jack Gilding, 2 Steven Lawrie (c), 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 Lewis Niven, 19 Esteban Lozada, 20 Roddy Grant, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Harry Leonard, 23 Gregor Hunter.