Munster were sent packing from Europe last weekend but head coach Rob Penney insists his side still have plenty to play for, starting with Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 trip to Edinburgh. The defeat to Toulon was hard for Penney and co to take but they have been boosted by the news that they have already secured a play-off spot before even kicking off after the Ospreys lost to Zebre on Thursday. And Penney is confident his side can get over their European heartbreak and bounce back in style at Meggetland this weekend. "I can't speak highly enough of the calibre of the men here in Munster. It has been great to be part of the European competition and a great honour to be coach of Munster in it," he said. "But we still have a lot of good footie coming up and we have turned our attention to that and the full focus now is on the Rabo and that starts with a big game in Edinburgh this week. "Then we play Ulster the following week and we will see where we are but we still have a lot to play for.” Penney has rung the changes for the clash, making 11 in all from the team that ran Toulon so close. A new-look front row sees James Cronin and John Ryan pack down on either side of Duncan Casey. Having featured last weekend against Toulon, Cronin makes his first start for the province since Treviso in March. The familiar duo of Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan combine forces in the second row while Tommy O'Donnell and Paddy Butler return to the starting line-up alongside CJ Stander in the back row. After rehab on a groin injury, JJ Hanrahan suffered no ill effects from the last 20 minutes of last weekend's encounter in Marseille and partners up with Conor Murray in the half-backs. Denis Hurley and Johne Murphy, both of whom signed new contracts with Munster this week, form the centre partnership. While Simon Zebo switches to full-back this weekend with Andrew Conway and Gerhard Van Den Heever introduced on the wings. For Edinburgh meanwhile Greig Laidlaw, in his final home game before leaving in the summer, leads an unchanged backline from last week’s dramatic loss to Glasgow Warriors. However injuries to the club's middle and back-rows enforce a personnel change to the pack. A head knock in last weekend's match against Glasgow means Izak van der Westhuizen joins second rows Sean Cox (hamstring) and Ollie Atkins (knee), and back-rows Roddy Grant (ankle) and Hamish Watson (leg) on the sidelines. As a result, David Denton starts his first match at second-row since earning age-grade international honours, with last weekend's try-scorer, Tomas Leonardi, taking the vacated loose forward berth. "Over the last two weeks we've had difficulties in the second-row, and now the back-row, with injuries,” said head coach Alan Solomons. "This means David [Denton] moves into lock out of necessity and young Ben Toolis – a player of much promise but limited experience – joins the bench. "It's our last home game of the season, and it's Greig Laidlaw's last home match as captain before he leaves, so there is a lot to play for from our side in that respect. "Munster are motivated by the fact that they want to secure the best possible playoff spot. We are motivated by the fact that it has been a very tough season and we would like to finish our home campaign on a good note by delivering a good performance, for Greig [Laidlaw] and for our supporters in this last home match.” At Meggetland, 5pm. Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 28th competition game) Assistant Referees: Peter Allan, Bob Nevins (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU) TMO: Ian Ramage (SRU) Live on BBC Alba and TG4
