Munster announce team to face Leinster

A knee injury rules Carney out and gives Lewis the opportunity after an impressive try-scoring display last weekend against Newport Gwent Dragons in Cork. The other change in the backline sees Shaun Payne return to the number 15 berth in place of Denis Hurley.

Changes in the pack from last time out sees Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and John Hayes start in place of Federico Pucciariello - on duty with the Barbarians - Frank Sheahan and Tony Buckley, the latter pair named on the bench.

Donncha O'Callaghan renews his partnership with Mick O'Driscoll while Donnacha Ryan who started ahead of O'Callaghan last Saturday, moves to the back-row spot made vacant by Alan Quinlan's hand ligament injury.

The other changes in the back-row see David Wallace come back in at openside while Denis Leamy, a replacement last Saturday, starts this time while Anthony Foley is named on the bench.

Munster coach Declan Kidney looking forward to a close game commented, " Munster Leinster games are always great occasions, you only have to look at the demand for tickets over the past few weeks to know that. Certainly the interest in this game seems to be right up there with anything we've experienced in the past.

"As for the game itself, I think its going to be a great contest. They are one of the top sides not alone in Ireland but in Europe so we'd have a lot of respect for them. There'll be a great atmosphere and its days like these make this job so enjoyable."

Team
15. Shaun Payne
14. Kieran Lewis
13.Rua Tipoki
12. Lifeimi Mafi
11. Ian Dowling
10. Ronan O'Gara (Capt)
9. Peter Stringer

1. Marcus Horan
2. Jerry Flannery
3. Jogn Hayes
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Mick O'Driscoll
6. Donncha Ryan
7. David Wallace
8. Denis Leamy

Replacements
16. Frank Sheahan
17. Tony Buckley
18. Anthony Foley
19. Niall Ronan
20. Gerry Hurley
21. Paul Warwick
22. Barry Murphy