Munster Line-Up Includes O’Mahony And O’Connell

Team captain Peter O’Mahony and influential lock Paul O’Connell have been named to start in a Munster team that includes 12 changes for Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 derby encounter with Ulster (kick-off 7.05pm).

Donncha O’Callaghan, James Coughlan and Ronan O’Mahony are the starting trio that survive from last weekend’s home victory over Connacht.

Damien Varley returns from his bout of illness to start in the front row with props David Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer.

Tommy O’Donnell joins Paul O’Connell and skipper Peter O’Mahony in returning to the pack, while there is a change in half-backs this week with Cathal Sheridan and Ian Keatley starting together.

The back-line sees Felix Jones at full-back with Andrew Conway, Ivan Dineen and Casey Laualala joining Ronan O’Mahony to complete the backs division.

Keith Earls misses out this week with a bruised shoulder and there is no place in the squad for JJ Hanrahan due to a tight groin, but both players are expected to train next week.

Meanwhile, prop James Cronin received the all-clear from the scan of his lower back but will not be involved this weekend.

MUNSTER (v Ulster): Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Casey Laulala, Ivan Dineen, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Cathal Sheridan; David Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, Stephen Archer, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, John Ryan, BJ Botha, David Foley, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, Johnny Holland, Johne Murphy.