Munster go big for Scarlets clash

Munster head coach Tony McGahan has named a powerful starting line-up for Sunday evening's Magners League clash against the Llanelli Scarlets, with B&I Lions prop John Hayes the only regular missing from the Irish team's matchday squad.

With Test stars Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, David Wallace, Tomas O'Leary, Ronan O'Gara, Jean de Villiers and Doug Howlett all lining up for the European giants, the Scarlets - under the captaincy of former Wallaby David Lyons, but without injured Wales outside half Stephen Jones - will have their work cut out.

Of course, that is if the match actually takes place on Sunday after all the inclement weather over the past few days.

According to the official Munster Rugby website, pitch inspections were carried out on Friday afternoon at Musgrave Park and Thomond Park by representatives of the IRFU Referee Department and Munster Rugby officials.

Musgrave Park will undergo a further assessment at 5.30pm on Saturday evening before a final decision is made.

But Munster, according to their official website, are confident that this game will take place and every effort is being made to ensure the game goes ahead as planned, with protective covers laid on the surface and heaters in place.

"In the event that Musgrave Park is deemed unplayable, the game is likely to be postponed as Thomond Park is currently unplayable. A further pitch inspection will take place at Thomond Park tomorrow evening also," said an article on munsterrugby.ie.

"Munster Rugby did examine the possibility of playing the game at 2.40pm on Sunday, however, following consultation with the Scarlets, Magners League and the broadcasters, this was deemed unfeasible.

"An update will again be posted on www.munsterrugby.ie and circulated to the media on Saturday evening following the pitch inspections."

The teams:

Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 David Wallace, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Stephen Archer, 18 Dave Ryan, 19 J Coughlan, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Lifeimi Mafi, 22 Ian Dowling.

Scarlets: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 David Lyons (captain), 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Damian Welch, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Corsi, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Lou Reed, 19 Richie Pugh, 20 Gareth Davies, 21 Morgan Stoddart, 22 Gareth Maule.

Date: Sunday, January 10
Venue: Musgrave Park
Time: 17:00 (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Neil Paterson (Wales)
Assistant referees: John Carvill (Ireland), Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Television match official: Peter Fitzgerald (Ireland)