On the inclusion of O'Connell, Munster Head Coach Rob Penney said: "Paul wanted to be involved this weekend to keep building off the momentum of his successful Six Nations campaign with the Irish team."
"It shows the calibre of the player - he came to watch the team train on Tuesday and he wants to contribute against Treviso and secure more game time ahead of a crucial period."
Damien Varley returns to captain the side in his first start since January as Penney makes 11 changes to the side that were beaten by Scarlets in Round 16.
Earls starts on the right wing as one of four changes to the backline with Felix Jones at full back, James Downey coming in to partner Casey Laulala in the centres and JJ Hanrahan at out-half.
Donnacha Ryan is the only forward to keep his place in the starting XV with the Limerick man moving from lock to flanker.
Varley, James Cronin and John Ryan make up the front-row. Billy Holland comes into the side to partnerO'Connell in the second-row. Sean Dougall and Paddy Butler, who makes his first start since December after suffering a spinal concussion on club duty, are named in the back-row with Ryan.
New Zealand hooker Quentin MacDonald was nominated for Munster's Heineken Cup squad yesterday and could make his debut off the bench with Irish internationals Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer completing the front-row cover.
Simon Zebo and Ian Keatley will be hoping to make an impact off the bench with Keatley looking to reach 500 points for Munster, the out-half has scored 497 points in his 66 appearances.
Gerry Hurley, who was also nominated for the Heineken Cup squad yesterday, provides the scrum-half cover.
Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Johne Murphy; JJ Hanrahan, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Damien Varley (Capt.), John Ryan; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Donnacha Ryan, Sean Dougall, Paddy Butler.
Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, CJ Stander, Gerry Hurley, Ian Keatley, Simon Zebo.
Ticket Update
Tickets will also be on sale from the Mobile Ticket Office at Hassett's Cross on match-day from 9am.
Ticket Prices
Cat A Stand: €40; Cat B Stand: €30; Cat B Junior* Stand: €10
Terrace: €20; Terrace Junior*: €7
Family Terrace Pack: €40 (2 adults & 2 junior*)
*Junior - Under 16s
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