Heineken Cup returns

Launch of the European Rugby Cup 2013/14MUNSTER RUGBY kick start their Heineken Cup campaign this Saturday, October 12 against Edinburgh at Murrayfield. (Kick off at 1.35pm on Sky Sports)
Rob Penney’s men, high on confidence since their Rabodirect Pro 12 win over rivals Leinster last weekend, are hot favourites for this round one tie, having already defeated Edinburgh this season 34-23 in Musgrave Park.
“Edinburgh are a good side. We saw that in our Pro12 game a couple of weeks ago when they really put it up to us in the final 15-20 minutes,” said Penney.
“Of course you want to maximise your points, but the important thing is to win. That’s never easy away from home and Edinburgh are going to come good against someone before too long. We have to be wary of that.”
The Scottish side, semi finalists two seasons ago, are currently rooted to the bottom of the table and anything but a bonus point win for Munster would be seen as a surprise result.
The two sides faced each other for the first time in the Heineken Cup during the pool stage of last season’s tournament with Munster claiming wins home and away.
Despite playing 130 Heineken Cup matches, Munster’s two meetings with Edinburgh last season were the first time they had faced a side from Scotland in this competition.
Ahead of this weekend Munster are sweating on the fitness of captain Peter O’Mahony. The Cork native, visibly shaken by a head bang last weekend, was taken off at half time as a precaution.
Munster have claimed that there was no sign of concussion, which would have ruled O’Mahony out of this weekend’s game automatically, but the backrower will still go through the ‘graduated return to play protocol’ ahead of the squad announcement on Thursday  10 afternoon.
The general consensus is that O’Mahony will not be risked this weekend with his place at six being taken by CJ Stander, who would make his Heineken Cup debut. Munster will face Gloucester on October 19 at 6pm in their first home ERC game.

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