Munster make their first RaboDirect PRO12 entry of the season to Musgrave Park with a top of the table clash against Simon Easterby’s Scarlets (5.15).
Munster went into this weekend in fourth place in the table but start the day in fifth thanks to Leinster's gutsy win over second placed Glasgow Warriors – who Munster face next – at Scotstoun last Friday night.
No matter what happens this evening they can't dis-improve their League position but even at this stage of the season, with no let-up from front runners Ulster, it already looks like five possibly six teams chasing three play off spots.
But besides that Rob Penney will be keen to get a performance out of his squad in front of his home town crowd.
A 24-18 win at the Arms Park last time out saved a possible three on the bounce away defeats and now they're looking for three in a row against a Scarlets side who in turn are charging towards four successive wins.
Any side coached by Simon Easterby will be abrasive up front and allied to this, Scarlets have a propensity to go wide at every possible opportunity so Munster's rearguard action will be pivotal to the outcome of this contest.
They welcome back Niall Ronan who has been sidelines effectively for nine months, Wian du Preez whose last start was at the start of October and James Downey who last played against Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup game last month.
Injury international duty and squad rotation means there are six changes from the side that started against the Blues but on the flip side Penney has a particularly strong looking bench that includes JJ Hanrahan and newcomer CJ Stander who is certain to make an appearance at some stage of the evening.
Tickets will be available for purchase this evening at the ground.
Munster: F Jones; D Howlett capt, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer; I Nagle, B Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, N Ronan, P Butler. Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, BJ Botha, D Foley, CJ Stander, P Stringer, JJ Hanrahan, D Hurley.
Scarlets: M Stoddart; N Reynolds, G Maule, G Owen, A Fenby; A Thomas, G Davies; P John, E Phillips, J Adriaanse, J Ball, R Kelly, G Earle, J Edwards capt, C Price. Replacements: K Myhill, S Hopkins, S Lee, J Snyman, D Thomas, R Williams, D Newton, AWarren.
