The Kilkenny man will be winning just his fifth Munster cap and it comes on foot of an impressive showing last week-end in the Celtic League win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

Coach Declan Kidney retains the same backline combination that ran in two tries against an Edinburgh side who had not been beaten at home in the Celtic League this season and the three changes up front accomodate the return to action of Marcus Horan, Denis Leamy and skipper Anthony Foley.

Munster: S Payne; J Kelly, B Murphy, T Halstead, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, J Flannery, J hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley capt

Replacements: D Fogarty F Pucciariello, M O'Driscoll, S Keogh, T O'Leary, J Manning, G Connolly.