Manning, Howlett and Mafi In For The Magners Opener

All three and Tony Buckley were in the squad for the game last weekend against Leicester Tigers but were late withdrawals for a game Munster lost narrowly in injury time.

The try of the game in Welford Road was scored by Felix Jones and he retains the full back shirt while two-try scorer in Leicester, Denis Hurley, also retains his place on the wing with young Danny Barnes making way for Doug Howlett on the opposite flank.

Mick O'Driscoll who led the side on eight occasions last term on their way to the title once again wears the captain's armband.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, T Gleeson, L Mafi, D Hurley; J Manning, P Stringer; M Horan, D Fogarty, T Buckley; M O'Driscoll capt, D Ryan; B Holland, N Ronan, D Leamy.
Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan, T Morland, S Deasy, B Murphy.