Leamy Restored To Munster Back Row

Denis Leamy’s return to fitness from a shoulder injury means that Niall Ronan slips to the replacements bench. David Wallace also returns to his more familiar openside flanker role.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Munster captain Paul O’Connell said: “The Ospreys and ourselves, we know each other well and that will make it an epic battle.

“A lot of internationals on both sides know each other very well, internationally and from the Magners League year-in, year-out.

“Four years ago we were in the same group in the Heineken Cup.

“It probably won’t be a great game to watch because the more you know about a team the harder it is to break them down. It’ll be good for the purists I suppose.”

With the Ospreys included a hatful of Welsh internationals in their side and Munster boasting 11 of the Grand Slam-winning squad in their line-up, O’Connell knows the visitors will have revenge in their sights.

“I reckon they’ll be unbelievably motivated. They have a lot of Grand Slam, Magners League and EDF winners on their team,” he added.

“Whenever Munster had a loss, the following weeks were when we were stronger. I think we used to need a loss to play well.

“But I think the experience we’ve had in the last few years has made us become more consistent, a core group of experienced players, competition for places and the new coaching staff has helped that.

“We don’t need a huge cause for us to play well.”

MUNSTER (v Ospreys): Paul Warwick, Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling; Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary; Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell (capt), Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Denis Leamy.

Replacements: Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Peter Stringer, Barry Murphy, Denis Hurley.