"Of course there's a certain unknown factor about this fixture. We've seen the game between them (Coventry) and Bristol and we're under no illusions about the task we face on Friday. But what the games we've played so far this season have done is give us confidence in our game plan and our ability to carry that out that plan. So I think we're in good shape really and certainly looking forward to it."

The Munster side includes internationals Denis Hurley, Julien Brugnaut and Niall Ronan who comes in for the injured Tommy O'Donnell while A international Felix Jones is at full back with the experienced Nick Williams on the bench.

Munster 'A'. F Jones;  D Riordan, T Gleeson, S Deasy, D Hurley;  D Cusack, D Williams; J Brugnaut, M Sherry, S Archer; I Nagle, D Foley;  B Holland, N Ronan, J Coughlan capt. Replacements: S Henry, D Kilcoyne, N Williams, P O'Mahony, D Barnes, S Zebo,  P Rowley.