Munster head coach Tony McGahan has made eight changes in personnel for the province’s Magners League match against Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm).
There are three new inclusions in the back-line as Lifeimi Mafi, Johne Murphy and Ronan O’Gara return at the expense of Sam Tuitupou, Denis Hurley and Scott Deasy.
With O’Gara slotting in at out-half alongside his long-term half-back partner Peter Stringer, Paul Warwick reverts to the full-back position.
There are two changes in the front row as props Darragh Hurley and John Hayes come in for Wian du Preez and Peter Borlase respectively, with Tony Buckley sidelined by a virus. It will be Hurley’s first start of the season after four appearances off the bench.
Donncha O’Callaghan returns from his enforced rest to partner the in-form Mick O’Driscoll in the second row, while stand-in captain Denis Leamy has James Coughlan and David Wallace for company in the back row.
Two Academy players, Mike Sherry and Dave Kilcoyne, fill two of the three front row places on the bench.
Speaking ahead of the game, head coach Tony McGahan said: “The selection was made very much with Glasgow Warriors in mind. It would be disrespectful to our opponents and to the competition itself if we allowed ourselves be distracted.
“Of course, selections have to be made mindful of what lies ahead but the task in hand is Warriors. We’ll deal with next week (and Toulon) once this one is over.”
MUNSTER (v Glasgow Warriors): Paul Warwick; Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Johne Murphy; Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer; Darragh Hurley, Damien Varley, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, James Coughlan, David Wallace, Denis Leamy (capt).
Replacements: Mike Sherry, David Kilcoyne, Peter Borlase, Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, Tomas O’Leary, Sam Tuitupou, Denis Hurley.
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