Will Chambers is at outside centre which means a switch to 12 for Danny Barnes and the return of O'Connell naturally sees him take over as captain although Peter O'Mahony who assumed that role in O'Connell's absence retains his place in the starting XV.
Five players Johne Murphy, Doug Howlett, Barnes, Wian du Preez and O'Mahony retain their places in the starting XV from the Ospreys game while James Coughlan missed that Ospreys clash through injury.
The selection reflects a certain urgency to get the RWC players back into action as coach Tony McGahan explained that Munster need to hit the ground running.
"I think you'll have seen South African, English and other countries players come back and play as soon as they were out of the quarter finals. The Irish players had two weeks rest. We're already at least a week and a bit behind so we need to look at all the possibilities and people who are going to be best for us short term and long term in this 4 week block that we have."
Ian Keatley was ruled out of consideration after suffering a slight hamstring training in training but is expected to be back training next week.
Munster (v Aironi Rugby) RaboDirect PRO12 League, Friday (8.30pm) Musgrave Park.
J Murphy; D Howlett, W Chambers, D Barnes, K Earls; R O'Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O'Connell capt ; D Leamy, P O'Mahony, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, N Ronan, T O'Leary, S Deasy, L Mafi.
(Not considered due to injury. David Wallace, Troy Smith, Felix Jones, Jerry Flannery, Peter Borlase, Darragh Hurley, Mike Sherry).
Tickets are on sale for this game online, via the Tramore Rd. ticket office, the Munster Rugby store on Maylor St., ticketmaster outlets, telephone (061) 421103 and on match day.
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