Warwick At Out-Half To Face Former Side

Munster have named 17 of the players included in the matchday squad for last weekend’s win over Ospreys, for Saturday’s Magners League derby clash with Connacht at Thomond Park Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).

This time around Paul Warwick, man-of-the-match against the Ospreys from the full-back berth, has been named at out-half as he lines up against his former team Connacht.

Ronan O’Gara will provide back-up amongst the replacements alongside his Grand Slam colleagues Tomas O’Leary, Marcus Horan and David Wallace.

Ian Dowling and Doug Howlett have retained their places in the back-line but Barry Murphy teams up with fellow Limerick man Keith Earls in the centre while Denis Hurley takes up position at full-back.

MUNSTER (v Connacht): Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Barry Murphy, Keith Earls, Ian Dowling; Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer; Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll (capt), Donnacha Ryan, Nick Williams, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy.

Replacements: Michael Essex, Marcus Horan, Billy Holland, David Wallace, Tomas O’Leary, Ronan O’Gara, Lifeimi Mafi.