Ryan will partner Billy Holland, who skippers the side, in the absence of Ian Nagle who misses out through illness, while Dave Foley who featured in all Munster games in the competition last year is back from injury and is named among the replacements.

Another player back from injury is Danny Barnes who was stretchered off in the game against Llanelli in Waterford while there's a place on the bench for the Shannon hooker Duncan Casey who is set for his first taste of B&I Cup action.

Peter Borlase and Barry Murphy who are not included in Munster's Heineken Cup squad at this stage are also included in the starting XV that has to take something out of this match if they're to maintain interest in making it to the knock-outs.

Munster: Scott Deasy (Cork Con), Danny Barnes (Dolphin), Tom Gleeson (Cork Con), Ivan Dineen (Cork Con), Barry Murphy (UL Bohs), Declan Cusack (Garryowen), Conor Murray (Garryowen), Dave Ryan (Dolphin), Sean Henry (UL Bohs), Peter Borlase, Billy Holland capt (Cork Con), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon), Dave O'Callaghan (Dolphin), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohs), Paddy Butler (Shannon). Replacements: Duncan Casey (Shannon), Stephen Archer (Cork Con), Dave Foley (UL Bohs), Kieran Essex (UL Bohs), Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohs), Troy Smith (Midleton), Sean Scanlon (Cork Con).