Marcus Horan (back) and David Wallace (facial injury) have both failed to recover from their respective injuries in time to be included in the Munster squad for Saturday’s Magners League trip to Leinster (The RDS, kick-off 6.30pm).
With squad captain Paul O’Connell listed amongst the replacements, Ronan O’Gara will lead Munster in their must-win game against Leinster.
In all, Munster coach Declan Kidney has made three personnel changes to the side that beat Gloucester in a memorable Heineken Cup quarter-final at Kingsholm last Saturday.
O’Gara will be partnered at half-back by the returning Peter Stringer in the only change to the back-line that started last time out against Gloucester.
Up front Tony Buckley comes in for Marcus Horan, a late withdrawal for the Gloucester game in the front row, while Mick O’Driscoll joins Donncha O’Callaghan in the second row.
With David Wallace sidelined, Anthony Foley’s return to the number 8 jersey sees a back row reshuffle. Denis Leamy moves to from number 8 to the openside position.
Looking forward to the game, Munster boss Kidney said: “Munster-Leinster games have always been great occasions and I don’t expect this one to be any different. We have two good sides, we’ll have a full house and two teams with a lot to play for.
“You couldn’t ask for more than that. I think the whole occasion will be a great advertisement for the Magners League competition.
“In terms of the selection, we have a good panel and players are always looking for games. With a squad like ours, it’s easy to make changes, sometimes easier to leave the team the same but we’ve tried to come up with the right mix.”
MUNSTER (v Leinster): Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki, Ian Dowling; Ronan O’Gara (capt), Peter Stringer; Tony Buckley, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley.
Replacements: Frankie Sheahan, Federico Pucciariello, Paul O’Connell, Niall Ronan, Tomas O’Leary, Paul Warwick, Kieran Lewis.
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