Sherry to start as Munster make few changes

MUNSTER coach Rob Penney has made few changes to the starting line-up to face Edinburgh in Thomond Park on Sunday, with hooker Mike Sherry and a fit-again Donncha O’Callaghan to slot into the side.

O’Callaghan returns to partner Paul O’Connell in the second row, while former Ard Scoil man Sherry replaces Varley at hooker for the second round Heineken Cup match.

The injury suffered by Ronan O’Gara in last Saturday’s defeat to Racing Metro in Paris keeps the outhalf out of the game, with the exciting Ian Keatley to start at 10 and Denis Hurley to take the full-back berth.

Penney is refusing to take anything for granted about Sunday’s game, despite Edinburgh losing 45-0 at home last weekend in the opening round of the competition.

“They did some really good things against Saracens.” he said. “If you look at that game closely you’d be remiss to disregard their display totally, because they did some really good things.”

“They got, and I know it’s very un-Edinburgh like, but they got beaten up a few times at some breakdown situations and a couple of times at set-pieces.”

“So undoubtedly they’ll be doing some work in that area. And they’ll come to Thomond Park hopefully thinking they are coming in under the radar after that loss,” explained the Munster coach.

“But we are certainly doing as much diligent research as we’ve done in any other game to ensure that we’re as prepared as we can be. And I think there are two sides hurting a bit.”

The New Zealander added that he expected that the match could contain “fireworks”.

Munster face Edinburgh at 12.45pm in Thomond Park on Sunday. Limted tickets remain on sale.

Munster (v Edinburgh): Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett capt, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mick Sherry, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell; Donnacha Ryan, Sean Dougall, Peter O’Mahony. Replacements: Damien Varley, Marcus Horan, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Felix Jones.