Jason Holland will retain his place at out-half for Munster's opening Celtic League clash away to Edinburgh Reivers on Friday night. The New Zealander, who will be eligible to play for Ireland in November, impressed in the last week's victory over Wasps at Thomond Park, and the Midleton clubman will continue in the number ten shirt with Ronan O'Gara still getting back to full fitness. Holland played at centre in Friday's subsequent defeat to Bath, but will return to his preferred position for the championship opener.
There is a doubt about the fitness of right winger John O'Neill, who is struggling with a dead leg picked up during the Bath match. Dominic Crotty is on standby to replace O'Neill, while Jeremy Staunton will start at full back, with John Kelly partnering Mike Mullins in the centre. David Wallace and Alan Quinlan occupy the flanker roles, while captain Mick Galwey and Anthony Foley are named in the forwards as expected as the rest of line-up assumes a predictable look.
Meanwhile, second row forward John Langford will line out again for Munster this season after delaying a full time return to Australia. However, he won't be available for a couple of weeks and will miss the Edinburgh clash.
The Munster team is:
J Staunton,J O'Neill/D Crotty, M Mullins, J Kelly, A Horgan, J Holland, P Stringer, P Clohessy, F Sheehan, J Hayes, M Galwey, M O'Driscol, A Quinlan, D Wallace, A Foley.
Subs: M Horan, J Blaney, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, M Prendergast, K Keane, C Mahoney/D Crotty.
Filed by Shane Murray
