Bowman comes straight into the side in place of Shane O'Connor who suffered a hamstring injury in training during the week.

The 28 year old from New South Wales played 16 times for Australia following his debut against England in 1998 and he was - along with Jim Williams - a member of the successful Australian World Cup winning side in 1999.

Munster (v Connacht, Musgrave Park, 8.05): C Cullen; J Kelly, S Payne, J Holland, A Horgan; P Burke, M Prendergast; F Roche, J Flannery, G McIlwham; T Bowman, T Hogan; S Keogh, D Leamy, J Williams (capt). Replacements. J Blaney, E McGovern, D Ryan, J O'Connor, E Reddan, J Storey, R Henderson.