MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Musgrave Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 20 September Kick-off: 1930 BST Coverage: Live on S4C
John Hayes will make his first start of the season for Munster in Saturday's Magners League clash against the Blues at Musgrave Park. Flanker Alan Quinlan is named on the bench and is also likely to get his first competitive action of the season. The Blues have brought in Robin Sowden Taylor and Richard Mustoe for injured Martyn Williams and Leigh Halfpenny. They are two of eight changes from the side that defeated Ulster 16-15 at the Arms Park last weekend. Jamie Roberts is back at inside centre for Gareth Thomas. Ceri Sweeney, Jason Spice, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise and Andy Powell also come into the starting XV.  | 606: DEBATE |
Tom James, Richie Rees, Xavier Rush, Deiniol Jones, Ross Johnson and Sam Warburton are with Martyn Williams and Halfpenny on the Blues injury list. Blues captain Paul Tito says his side are ready for the challenge of Munster, having recovered from a testing opening week in the Magners League. "Three games in the first week were particularly tough," said Tito. "But we got that crucial win over Ulster and after a bit of a rest now we're looking forward to Munster." Munster have won their first two matches, their only league defeat since last November an 18-21 reversal to Glasgow in Musgrave Park on 10 May. | LAST SEASON'S LEAGUE MEETINGS 5 October:
1 March:
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The Irish side have won six of their last seven clashes with Welsh regions. But the Blues are unbeaten in their last six encounters with Irish sides. They have also won their last four Magners League matches against Munster, including their last two visits to Cork. Blues coach Dai Young was happy that the one-point win over Ulster had eased pressure after an opening draw with Leinster followed by a heavy defeat at the Ospreys. "We needed that victory," Young told BBC Sport Wales. "We didn't play with a lot of character, but we showed guts and determination. "The Magners League is getting tougher every season. There are no easy games and I don't think there will be a runaway winner this year."
Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, L Mafi, R Tipoki, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer; T Buckley, J Flannery, J Hayes; P O'Connell (capt), M O'Driscoll; D Ryan, N Ronan, J Melck; Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, J O'Sullivan, A Quinlan, M Prendergast, J Manning, B Murphy. Blues: Ben Blair; Richard Mustoe, Jamie Robinson, Jamie Roberts, Gareth Thomas; Ceri Sweeney, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul Tito (capt), Maama Molitika, Robin Sowden Taylor, Andy Powell.
Replacements: Gary Powell, T Rhys Thomas, Scott Morgan, Mark Lewis, Darren Allinson, Nicky Robinson, Tom Shanklin. Referee: Peter Allan (SRU)
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