Scarlets v Munster: Teams
Munster travel to Llanelli to take on the Scarlets knowing a win could secure them a league semi-final at home.
Last Updated: 15/04/11 5:10pm
Munster travel to Llanelli to take on the Scarlets knowing a win could secure them a Magners League semi-final at home.
The clash at Parc y Scarlets is perhaps even more vital for their sixth-placed hosts who must beat the current leaders to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Scottish international Sean Lamont returns to the wing in a strong backs division for the Scarlets, although they are missing Wales centre Jon Davies, who has been ruled out with a dead leg.
Morgan Stoddart and George North are given the nod, while Rhys Priestland starts at fly-half with Wales number 10 Stephen Jones on the bench after recovering from a wrist injury sustained during Scarlets' last outing against Ulster.
Australian number eight David Lyons makes his return to the starting line-up after recovering from a knee injury.
But Ben Morgan and Peter Edwards are both ruled out with a hamstring strain and a bruised shoulder respectively.
Hampered
Munster coach Tony McGahan has kept just two of his starting XV from last weekend's big European battle in Brive.
Denis Leamy, who has been moved to number eight, will captain the side for Saturday's game, while Lifeimi Mafi remains at centre.
McGahan has handed starts to six of the replacements who came off the bench in Brive last weekend.
Danny Barnes on one wing after Denis Hurley's expected return was hampered by a hamstring injury in training. Fellow youngster Simon Zebo partners Barnes on the opposite wing.
"After three challenging weeks previous to this away trip to Scarlet's, a rotation of the playing group allows us to rest many of the starters coming into a busy and competitive period," said McGahan.
"It also allows for competition within the squad for opportunities across the 23 and there is no better place or opposition for players to test themselves than Scarlets in their home ground."
Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 George North, 13 Regan King, 12 Gareth Maule, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 David Lyons, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Josh Turnbull, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Matthew Rees (c),1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Damian Welch, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Scott Williams.
Munster 15 Paul Warwick; 14 Simon Zebo, 13 Johne Murphy, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Danny Barnes; 10 Declan Cusack, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Denis Leamy (c), 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Tommy O'Donnell, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Darragh Hurley, 18 John Hayes, 19 Alan Quinlan, 20 Paddy Butler, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 Sam Tuitupou, 23 Scott Deasy.
