Edinburgh Coach looking for a Big Performance

Munster flew into Edinburgh on Thursday to vie with the stars of the music world who were in the beautiful city for the MTV European Music Awards.

Munster flew into Edinburgh on Thursday to vie with the stars of the music world who were in the beautiful city for the MTV Music Awards.

On arrival the squad adjourned to the back-pitch at Murrayfield – the changing facility provided by Murrayfield Wanderers RFC – for a quick warm-up and then departed for their team hotel The Kings Manor located about 40 minutes drive from tonight’s match venue Meadowbank Stadium.

Having already won on their last two visits to Edinburgh, Munster will be up against it as the home side attempt to get their title challenge back on track as outlined by Harry Pincott in the Scotsman newspaper.

Frank Hadden is looking for “a big performance” from Edinburgh when his side host Munster in the Celtic League at Meadowbank Stadium tonight. From topping the league a few weeks ago, Edinburgh have suffered three successive defeats and Hadden s men just can t afford another setback if they want to keep alive any lingering hopes of a league title.

To get them back on track, Hadden and forwards coach Henry Edwards have altered the side, who lost to Gwent Dragons last weekend, quite dramatically.

Recalled to the back division are Derrick Lee and Tom Philip, who were under the weather last week, and Rory Lawson, who needs the match practice, while up front Andy Kelly starts at hooker, and Ramin Mathieson moves from loose-head to tight-head prop, with Craig Smith making up the front-row. Simon Cross also starts in the back-row, with Andy Dall dropping out.

“Because we are operating with such a small squad, some of the players are showing signs of tiredness from the constant demands of training and playing week in, week out,” Hadden said. “At the start of the Celtic League we knew we had limited resources so we really had to decide if we went full blast from the first game or make a more gentler opening. We went for the first option, which we achieved, but we are maybe now paying the price for it, with some players feeling it s more like May than November.

“However, we need a big performance from them now.”

In earlier games, the likes of Lee and Philip were in tremendous form, and the coaches are hoping that the week s rest the pair have just had will rejuvenate them. Brendan Laney, who will be playing despite breaking his nose last Saturday, should also have plenty of spring in his legs, as he showed when scoring a fine individual try against Gwent, and with places in the side for next Saturday s Celtic Cup semi-final against Connacht up for grabs, there s no excuse for anything other than a full-blooded display tonight.

Glasgow, who play their cup semifinal against Ulster next Friday at Hughenden, meet Celtic Warriors at Bridgend this evening, and like Edinburgh they ring the changes as they seek a winning formula.

Calvin Howarth returns at stand-off for Daniel Parks, his confidence regained after coming off the bench in the loss to Leinster last Friday, and he teams up with Sam Pinder. David Millard gets his second Glasgow start, on the right wing, which means a move to full-back for Rory Kerr in place of Stuart Moffat, while Gareth Maclure replaces Graeme Morrison at outside centre.

Coach Hugh Campbell said: “It s time we gave David [Millard] another run as we attempt to find a winning line-up. Moffat and Morrison are rested, but Parks will be on the bench.” Because we have a small squad some players are showing signs of tiredness – Frank Hadden

Up front, Campbell brings back Andy Wilson as blindside flanker as Roland Reid has a hamstring injury. Making a first appearance in the squad is former rugby league forward Chris Birchall, who has spent most of this season propping for GHA.

Like their Scottish colleagues, The Borders suffered another loss last weekend, to Llanelli, to remain in bottom spot, and they face a stiff test tonight when they meet Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Netherdale.

Coach Tony Gilbert welcomes back Craig Moir on the right wing, with Cammie Murray switching to the left to the exclusion of Andy Turnbull, who is on the bench. “We re pleased to have Craig back as he s an experienced and strong player, who s a good talker during the game,” Gilbert said.

Regarding The Borders two Samoans, Semo Sititi and Tanner Vili, who played so well at the World Cup, Gilbert added: “It does not make any sense to rush them back, but they ll soon be available.” The Borders next game is on 28 November, and the duo will be back for that.

On The Borders bench are golden oldies Gary Armstrong and Doddie Weir and also Andy Rennick, whose has recovered from a shoulder injury. He takes over from Alastair Davidson, who must be wondering when he s going to get any kind of action. The Borders lock has played only two games in the last two months.

Munster v Edinburgh, at Meadowbank Stadium tonight, 7.30pm):

Munster:

D Crotty; M McPhail, M Mullins, C O Sullivan, M Lawler; J Holland, E Reddan; S Kerr, A Long, F Roche, T Hogan, S Keogh, D Leamy, J Williams, C McMahon.

Replacements: Eugene McGovern James Blaney Donal Sheehan Tom Hayes Frank Murphy Keith Matthews Clem Casey

Edinburgh:

D Lee; S Webster, C Joiner, T Philip, H Southwell; B Laney, R Lawson; C Smith, A Kelly, R Mathieson, G Perrett, A Kellock, T Blackadder capt, A Hogg, S Cross. Subs: C Di Ciacca, J Brannigan, N Pike, A Dall, G Burns, A Warnock, M Di Rollo.