Widnes Vikings star Gary Connolly is set to make his debut for Munster in
Saturday's Celtic League clash against Connacht at The Sportsground in Galway,
the former Great Britain rugby league international named in the centre
alongside Trevor Halstead.

Returning to the Munster starting line-up is scrum-half Peter Stringer who was a
late withdrawal last week (back spasm) and Marcus Horan.

Mick O'Driscoll comes into the second-row to partner Donncha O'Callaghan while
Denis Leamy takes over at open-side wing forward in place of the injured David
Wallace.

With Mike Mullins and Christian Cullen ruled out through injury, Connolly (34)
was signed ahead of the Heineken Cup registration deadline on a four month
contract and arrived in Munster in time to take his place in the Captains Run
ahead of Saturday's game.

Meanwhile, Connacht have made one change to their side, John Muldoon comes into
the back row in place of Michael Swift with lock Andrew Gallagher replacing
Swift on the bench.

Munster: Barry Murphy; John Kelly, gary Connolly, Trevor Halstead, Ian Dowling; Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan, Frank Sheahan, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll; Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley capt.

Replacements: Federico Pucciarello, Jerry Flannery, Trevor Hogan, Stephen Keogh, Tomas O'Leary, Paul Burke, Rob Henderson.

Connacht: Matt Mostyn, Conor McPhillips, Darren Yapp, James Downey, Keith Matthews, Paul Warwick, Tom Tierney; Dan McFarland, John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Christian Short, Andrew Farley (c), John Muldoon, Matt Lacey, Colm Rigney

Replacements: Chris Venter, Ray Hogan, Andrew Gallagher, Brendan O Connor, Chris Keane, David Slemen, Ted Robinson.