Always highly regarded, he produced a superb performance when Munster defeated the much vaunted Leinster A side in the British & Irish Cup semi final a fortnight ago.

McGahan's one backline change is at nine, Conor Murray in for London Irish bound Tomas O'Leary and upfront, not surprisingly the return of soon to be Freeman of Limerick Paul O'Connell meant one of the 'O's who started against Warriors had to go. So Donncha O'Callaghan is benched and Mick O'Driscoll, who announced he is to retire at season end, partners O'Connell in the second row. 

The back-row remains the same with BJ Botha coming back into the front-row ahead of Stephen Archer.

Munster: F Jones; L O'Dea, J Murphy, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell capt; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, P Butler, T O'Leary, S Deasy, I Dineen.