Munster v Glasgow: Teams

Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie returns to the Glasgow side for their Magners League clash with Munster at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

Beattie has been out with a shoulder injury since he returned from Scotland's historic Test series win in Argentina last summer, and head coach Sean Lineen is delighted to have another of his key players back available for selection.

"It's great to have John back," said Lineen. "He's worked incredibly hard and it's been frustrating for him more than me.

"John is a model professional and I think he's matured over the last few months. We've had him involved in a lot of meetings and analysis and he's delivered really well there. But now he's fit and ready to go."

Meanwhile, despite the exit of Beattie from the treatment room, four others make their way in following last weekend's bruising derby against Edinburgh. All do so, however, on a short term basis.

Dead legs

Beattie takes the place of Richie Vernon, who picked up a dead leg in last weekend's derby, as did hooker Fergus Thomson who is also sidelined with the same injury.

The third change to the forwards simply sees props Ryan Grant and Jon Welsh swap places in the staring XV and on the bench.

The only adjustment in the backs sees winger Alex Dunbar line up for his second start in place of Hefin O'Hare, who has a calf injury.

Dave McCall is another to make a welcome return to the starting XV and is named among the replacements. McCall returns in place of Federico Aramburu who continues to be treated for an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Munster coach Tony McGahan has made nine changes from the side that started against Ulster.

Changes

Of those changes, one is positional with Ronan O'Gara's return to the side meaning Paul Warwick reverts to full-back in a backline that sees Lifeimi Mafi start at inside centre in place of Sam Tuitupou, who is listed among the replacements. Johne Murphy comes back onto the left wing with Denis Hurley this time providing the cover.

Up front there are changes aplenty, starting in the front-row where Darragh Hurley replaces Wian du Preez at loosehead and John Hayes starts ahead of Tony Buckley who has been struck down with a virus.

Donncha O'Callaghan returns from his enforced rest to partner the bang in-form Mick O'Driscoll in the second row, while James Coughlan is named at blindside and David Wallace at openside in a back row that again will be led by Denis Leamy.

Two Academy players, Mike Sherry and Dave Kilcoyne fill two of the three front row places on the replacements' bench.

Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 L Mafi, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer,8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 James Coughlan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Darragh Hurley.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Peter Borlase, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Niall Ronan, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Sam Tuitupou, 23 Denis Hurley.

Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Alex Dunbar, 13 Max Evans, 12 Peter Murchie, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Colin Gregor, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Robert Harley, 5 Alastair Kellock (c), 4 Richie Gray, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Dave McCall, 23 Peter Horne