MUNSTER FACE a searching examination of their fitness and stamina in their seasonal opener in Hartford, Connecticut, today.

A 3pm kick-off (8pm Irish) ensures a team with only two survivors from the starting line-up in the Heineken Cup final will have to play in temperatures forecast to be around 30.5 degrees.

Munster won the inaugural Setanta Challenge Cup last year in Chicago by 10-6 and though the USA Eagles have undergone quite a transformation since with the appointment of the former Wales and Wallabies coach Scott Johnson, his counterpart Tony McGahan expects an exuberant performance from the Eagles in his first match as head coach since taking over from Declan Kidney.

"They've picked Scott Johnson as coach and he's selected a very young side with a view to building toward the next World Cup, so I would expect them to play an enthusiastic running game in the temperature and conditions," said McGahan. "They'll probably be quite direct too, especially through their two big centres, and they've plenty of pace out wide too."

McGahan intends using all 25 players at his disposal with rolling substitutions, as will the Eagles, The match will be shown live on ESPN Classic and Setanta Sports.

Mick O'Driscoll, who will captain the side in the absence of Paul O'Connell and Ronan O'Gara, said: "It's a great honour for us to annually come over to play in the States. We're very much looking forward to the game and hope both sides get what they need out of it. The Eagles are very good opposition and play with a lot of pride and passion."

Johnson emphasised the physicality his team expected: "Munster are a very, very tough and uncompromising side. They may be one of the most combative sides in Europe. They are proud men who play traditional rugby. Its going to be physical and that's exactly what I want. I will be very happy if at after 80 minutes we are still competing. The scoreboard will look after itself; what I am looking for is tough competition throughout the entire match."

Following their 38-5 win over Padova on Wednesday, Leinster conclude their five-day pre-season trip to Italy this evening against the stronger challenge of Treviso.

Although Michael Cheika won't pick his side until today, Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Felipe Contepomi, Malcolm O'Kelly and Chris Whitaker are all expected to be given some game time in line with the desire to use all the squad over the two games.

Following afternoon excursions into Venice and Verona in temperatures in the mid-30s, Cheika commented: "The tour has gone very well. These were the type of conditions and opposition we wanted - physical opponents who want to play well in front of big home crowds - and it's good everyone makes a contribution to the trip."

"Everyone's very keen. We've worked hard and trained on the morning of the Padova match, but we've no problem getting people out of bed in conditions like these.

"The intent and enthusiasm the other night was good and in this game we want to see a little more game knowledge and team play."

MUNSTER: Denis Hurley; Brian Carney, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi; Anthony Horgan; Paul Warwick, Mike Prendergast; Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley; Mick O'Driscoll (capt), Donnacha Ryan; Billy Holland, Niall Ronan, John O'Sullivan. Replacements: Darragh Hurley, Frank Sheahan, Mark Melbourne, Tommy O'Donnell, Tomás O'Leary, Jeremy Manning, Rua Tipoki, Barry Murphy, Ian Dowling, Kieran Lewis.