Celtic League Edinburgh v Munster, Murrayfield 7.30: The Edinburgh forwards are likely to have a little extra punch tonight.

The announcement that captain Todd Blackadder is to take over as Scotland forwards coach from Henry Edwards is bound to have bolstered the side. Which they dearly need, as they refuse to budge from second bottom place on the table just above the poorly Borders but, with 15 points, two behind Ulster.

Munster, too, have cause for celebration with full back Christian Cullen named as the Celtic League's Player of the Month for October, a just bauble for the free-scoring former All Black.

Alan Gaffney arrives seeking his seventh Celtic League win in succession but will try to do it without flanker, Denis Leamy. Although Leamy has been released, Gaffney has opted to leave the Irish international on the bench.

In addition, Alan Quinlan will operate at number six with David Wallace taking the openside position and Stephen Keogh anchoring the scrum.

"We are in the lucky position of having very strong back row personnel and it's a question once again of giving guys game time and a fair chance to tie down a place in the side," said Gaffney yesterday. "Denis had a game last week, but Wally (Wallace) missed out through injury so we'll give him a start and be very happy that we have a player of Denis's ability on the bench."

Cullen is again back in the side following a rest weekend, while Shaun Payne reverts to the wing, at the expense of Paul Devlin. Out-half Paul Burke, captains the side in the absence of Jim Williams, excused from duty following the birth of a son earlier in the week.

EDINBURGH: D Lee; C Joiner, M Di Rollo, B Laney, R Dewey; P Godman, R Lawson; C Smith, A Kelly, J Brannigan, F Pringle, A Kellock, T Blackadder, D Callam, A McDonald. Replacements: D Hall, A Dickinson, A Strokosch, C Harrison, J Blackwood, P Boston, B MacDougal

MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, M Mullins, R Henderson, M Lawlor; P Burke (capt), M Prendergast; F Roche, J Blaney, G McIlwham; T Hogan, T Bowman; A Quinlan, D Wallace, S Keogh. Replacements: E McGovern, D Fogarty, T Hayes, D Leamy, E Reddan, J Holland, J Storey.

Last Meeting (April 16th, 2004, Celtic League, at Musgrave Park) Munster 17 (S Payne try, J Holland 4 pen) Edinburgh Rugby 28 (A Hogg, H Southwell, T Blackadder, A Strokosch try, A Warnock con, 2 pen).

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU).

Verdict: Munster.