O'Gara has been sidelined since injuring a knee in the Celtic League game against Gwent Dragons on March 25th but an intensive rehabilitation regime sees the number 10 back in action at a most appropriate time.

Munster coach Alan Gaffney welcomed O'Gara's return but at the same time paid a compliment to Paul Burke, the player who makes way for O'Gara.

" It goes without saying that it's great to have Ronan back in the squad. He has made a full recovery and we did think about playing him last week against Leinster but in the end deemed it prudent to give him that extra bit of time."

"Paul Burke has done a great job for us in Ronan's absence, besides everything else his penalty last week proved crucial and throughout the season he has played a crucial part in what has been a very good season for Munster."

The only other change in the side has been forced by the injuries received by John Kelly in the semi-final win over Leinster with Paul Devlin, the man who replaced Kelly in that game, coming into the side on the right wing.

Munster 15. Shaun Payne 14. Paul Devlin 13. Mike Mullins 12. Rob Henderson 11. Anthony Horgan 10. Ronan O'Gara 9. Peter Stringer 1. Marcus Horan 2. Frank Sheahan 3. John Hayes 4. Donncha O'Callaghan 5. Paul O'Connell 6. Alan Quinlan 7. David Wallace 8. Anthony Foley capt Replacements 16. Jerry Flannery 17. Gordon McIlwham 18. Trevor Hogan 19. Denis Leamy 20. Mike Prendergast 21. Paul Burke 22. James Storey.