Howlett was named in a 25 strong squad for the Magners League clash with Ulster in Ravenhill and after training when he met members of the media across the road in the welcome warmth of Charleville Golf Club expressed the hope that he would be involved on Friday night.

"It would be good to be involved at some stage," he said,   "though I know these boys (Munster) have been going well so I'll have to wait and see what happens. Today and last day (training) it was very much a question for me to observe, watch what was going on, the patterns and so on and then work on adapting."

"But obviously I'm delighted to be here, well over the jet-lag by now and looking forward to it all."

O'Leary has been out of action since complaining of being unwell on the trip back from Coventry following the Game against Wasps. It transpired he can contracted pneumonia and he is one of three scrum halves named in the 25 strong squad with Declan Kidney explaining, " We've named three because we just need to see how Tomas comes through today's session, all being well then he should be involved in the match day 22.

Munster Squad (for Magners League game v Ulster).Shaun Payne, Anthony Horgan, Brian Carney, Doug Howlett, Kieran Lewis, Barry Murphy, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Tomas OLeary, Gerry Hurley, Peter Stringer. Ronan O'Gara, Paul Warwick,  Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, John Hayes, Frank Sheahan, Jerry Flannery, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Niall Ronan, David Wallace, Anthony Foley.