Four changes for Munster

Munster coach Declan Kidney makes four changes, one positional, from the side that started against Llanelli Scarlets last time out, for the Magners League clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park on Saturday (5pm).

Just one of those changes occur up front where Alan Quinlan returns having been forced to withdraw from that Scarlets game with a bout of pneumonia. He comes in, in place of Donnacha Ryan who gave a good account of himself in Munster’s 20 points to nil victory.

The three changes in the backline sees Brian Carney switch wings to accomodate the return of Ian Dowling who takes over from Anthony Horgan while Christain Cullen is named at full back.

Munster: Christian Cullen; Ian Dowling, Barry Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Brian Carney; Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary; Marcus Horan, Frank Sheahan, John Hayes; Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll; Alan Quinlan, John O’Sullivan, Anthony Foley capt. Replacements: Denis Fogarty, Federico Pucciariello, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Brian O’Meara, Jeremy Manning, Mossy Lawlor

Meanwhile Dragons coach Paul Turner has rung the changes for Saturday evening, making eight changes from the side that lost to Clermont in the semi finals of the European Challenge Cup competition.

Five of those changes are among the backs with Martin Thomas making his second full start for the region at full back in place of Kevin Morgan.  Richard Fussell comes in on the wing for Gareth Wyatt while Bedwas centre Phil Dollman comes in at inside centre for the injured Nathan Brew. At halfback Aled Thomas and Alex Walker start in place of Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Cooper who are both named among the replacements.

Among the forwards Ben Daly replaces Steve Jones at hooker while there is a new second row combination in Andy Hall and Peter Sidoli who replace Ian Gough and Luke Charteris.

Newport-Gwent Dragons: Martin Thomas; Richard Fussell, Paul Emerick, Phil Dollman,  Aled Brew; Aled Thomas,  Alex Walker;  Adam Black, Ben Daly, Rhys Thomas;  Andy Hall, Peter Sidoli;  Joe Bearman, Jamie Ringer, Michael Owen capt. Replacements from:
Steve Jones, Jamie Corsi, David Maddocks, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Ceri Sweeney, Kevin Morgan, Gareth Wyatt, Gareth Cooper