Top Of The Table Clash In Musgrave Park Tonight.

Munster return to Musgrave Park this evening, for the first time since they drew with Connacht in early September, for the clash with second placed Newport-Gwent Dragons (8.05).

Munster return to Musgrave Park this evening, for the first time since they drew with Connacht in early September, for the clash with second placed Newport-Gwent Dragons (8.05).

Munster coach Alan Gaffney, makes five changes from the side that recorded their sixth consecutive win last week in Ravenhill with players such as Jim Williams, Anthony Horgan and Rob Henderson returning to the side after a timely rest while Shaun Payne reverts from the wing to partner Henderson in the centre.

Elsewhere, Tom Bowman comes into the second row in place of internationally engaged Donncha O’Callaghan and James Blaney comes into the front row in place of Jerry Flannery.

A win last weekend over current league leaders Neath-Swansea Ospreys makes The Dragons the best of the Welsh this season and as things stand they lie two places ahead of Munster, four points separating the sides.

More importantly perhaps from the visitors point of view they did ‘the double’ over Munster last season winning comfortably 29-6 in Rodney Parade and 16-6 in Thomond Park. They haven’t been beaten in this competition since losing to Cardiff Blues on the opening day at the Arms Park.

Nor are they badly hampered by the international call and although their leading points scorer Ceri Sweeney is absent this evening they have an able replacement in Craig Warlow. They will of course miss the out and out talent of full-back Percy Montgomery but once again they can call on 26 times capped Welsh international Kevin Morgan to cover for the Spirinbok.

Up front they have a wealth of experience provided by seasoned campaigners such as Rod Snow 54 caps for Canada and Welsh internationals Ian Gough (21 caps) and Chris Anthony (17 caps).

It is probably as tough a task as Munster have faced this season but they can take heart from the performance last week against Ulster. That victory in Ravenhill owed as much to Munster’s defence as anything else this and once again this evening they will need to be particularly strong in that department because The Dragons will give it a much sterner examination.

Munster:C Cullen; M Lawler, S Payne, R Henderson, A Horgan; P Burke, M Prendergast; F Roche, J Blaney, G McIlwham; T Hogan, T Bowman; J Williams (capt), D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: M Storey, D Fogarty, T Hayes, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Holland, M Mullins.

Newport/Gwent Dragons: K Morgan; G Wyatt, N Brew, S Tuipulotu, B Breeze; C Warlow, G Baber; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony; I Gough, P Sidoli; J Ringer, J Forster (capt), R Bryan. Replacements (from): K Crawford A Black, R Thomas, R Oakley S Winn, J Bryant, J Ireland.

Referee: Mike Hall (Scotland)