There will be a special incentive for Munster tonight as they aim to equal a record set by another Irish province in the Celtic League.
Leinster hold the all-time tournament record for most successive wins with 11 victories between August 2001 and August 2002. Eclipsing that mark would be a nice fillip for Alan Gaffney's men but first they have to reach parity, a feat they can achieve at Stradey Park.
The return of Ronan O'Gara at outhalf will provide a timely boost in this quest, the Irish international having recovered from a broken hand that had sidelined him in recent weeks. Paul Devlin and Jason Holland are given an opportunity in the back line with Gaffney deciding not to risk John Kelly's steady rehabilitation.
Munster are just five points behind table leaders the Neath-Swansea Ospreys, with a game less played, and will have targeted this match against a Llanelli side that have lost their last three outings to Northampton and Toulouse in the European Cup and Edinburgh in the Celtic League.
The Scarlets, though, have not lost at home in the latter competition since Connacht prevailed on October 9th.
Munster's statistics are considerably more impressive, their sole defeat in the last 16 games a 19-12 loss in Castres.
This is only the third visit Munster have made to this evening's venue, but they have won there in the Celtic League, a 20-13 over Llanelli in August 2002.
There is also an international backdrop to this context as it pits Scarlets captain Simon Easterby against Alan Quinlan and Denis Leamy, all three players chasing a back-row place on the Ireland team to be announced next week for the opening Six Nations match against Italy.
Easterby has recovered from a knee injury to take his place and will lead a strong Llanelli pack. There is plenty of experience in the front five while second row Chris Wyatt is in excellent form.
Six-foot plus scrumhalf Mike Phillips teams up with Gareth Bowen at half back while the presence of Pacific Islanders Aisea Havili and Salesi Finau in the three-quarter line guarantees abrasive, direct running.
Munster field the same pack that started their last European Cup match, the victory over NEC Harlequins at Twickenham.
The team was roundly criticised after that performance and will be looking to produce a more cohesive display, especially behind the scrum where Gaffney is adamant that his team possesses the quality but just don't grasp the opportunities. Christian Cullen's exquisite running lines deserve more ball.
A reliance on their pack has seen Munster, if not thrive, then survive comfortably for several months, but the accusation remains that they haven't found fourth gear.It mightn't be pretty but it's likely to be effective. Just.
LLANELLI: G Evans; A Havili, M Watkins, S Finau, T Selley; G Bowen, M Phillips; P John, R McBryde, J Davies; V Cooper, C Wyatt; S Easterby (capt), A Powell, G Thomas. Replacements: D Maddocks, M Rees, D Duley, J Mills, C McDonald, A Thomas, B Davies.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; P Devlin, S Payne, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; A Quinlan, D Leamy, A Foley (capt). Replacements: G McIlwham, F Roche, J Flannery, T Hogan, D Wallace, E Reddan, M Mullins.
Referee: Andrew Ireland (Scotland).
Head to Head (recent meetings) - September 2003 (CL) at Thomond Park: Munster 12 Llanelli Scarlets 19; February 2004 (CL) at Stradey Park: Llanelli Scarlets 37 Munster 20; October 2004 (CL) at Thomond Park: Munster 19 Llanelli Scarlets 13.
Leading points scorers: Llanelli - Gareth Bowen 94. Munster - Paul Burke 92.
Leading try scorers: Llanelli - Matthew Watkins 5. Munster - Christian Cullen 8.
VERDICT: Munster.
