Four of those - Ronan O’Gara, Donnacha Ryan and Peter O’Mahony -  are a direct result of the international the following day, all featuring in the match day squad for the game against Italy.  Denis Hurley is called up as cover (24^th man) while Marcus Horan gets the nod over Wian du Preez at loose-head prop.

The absence of Hurley affords McGahan the opportunity to re-install Felix Jones at full-back, Jones looked sharp when he came on as a 60^th minute replacement in Treviso and Tommy O’Donnell who returned from injury in the 68^th minute of that game, takes over on the openside from O’Mahony.

Ian Keatley who missed out on the trip to Italy after twisting an ankle, wears the number 10 shirt and Billy Holland operates alongside skipper Mick O’Driscoll in the second row

Munster: F Jones; J Murphy, D Barnes, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O’Leary; M Horan, D Varley, BJ Botha; B Holland, M O’Driscoll capt; Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, W du Preez, S Archer, D Foley, P Butler, D Williams, S Deasy, L O’Dea.

Referee: Leighton Hodges  (WRU).

Assistant Referees: Michael  Black, Eanna O’Dowd (both IRFU)