That change sees Donnacha Ryan, who played a key role in Munster's British and Irish Cup win last weekend, comes onto the bench in place of Paul O'Connell who picked up a four week suspension yesterday for the red card incident in that game in Thomond Park Stadium.

Munster understandably remained tight lipped about the O'Connell incident and will wait until they've received the written verdict before deciding on an appeal. Players and management remain focused on the job ahead with coach Tony McGahan sensibly leading the way in the immediate aftermath of the game when he said, "We'll let the process run its course and abide by the decision that's handed down whatever it may be."

Nor would McGahan or any of his players engage in discussion about the comments from Ospreys coach Jonathan Humphreys in relation to his allegations of illegal scrummaging, again McGahan insisting, "We're happy to let the match officials adjudicate on that."

“Mischievous” was the word used by journalists for Humpreys comments about the Paul O'Connell incident but at around the same time as the Munster captain was being made aware of his suspension, Ospreys were announcing the new contract for Jonathan Thomas.

Given the six day turnaround, Munster confined themselves to just one field session this week, on Wednesday in CIT. They fly out this morning arriving in Cardiff International Airport shortly after 1pm and will have their Captain's Run out at the Liberty Stadium later this afternoon.

Munster: P Warwick, D Howlett, K Earls, S Tuitupou, J Murphy, R O'Gara, T O'Leary, W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, J Coughlan, D Wallace, D Leamy capt.  Replacements: M Sherry, D Hurley, J Hayes, D Ryan, A Quinlan, P Stringer, L Mafi, D Hurley.