It has been confirmed that Tommy O'Donnell sustained a torn hamstring in Saturday's game against Ulster and is expected to be side-lined for approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
Simon Zebo is another ruled out of this weekend's action after failing to recover fully from back spasms, however, the winger is expected to make a return to full training next week after further rest.
Duncan Casey and Peter O'Mahony were late withdrawals from this week's squad preparations with the hooker reporting mild back pain and the squad captain picking up a knock in training yesterday. Both players are expected to take a full part in next week's programme.
In total, five personnel changes are made to the side that drew 23-23 away to Ulster last Saturday with Denis Hurley named as captain for the sixth time this season.
John Ryan and BJ Botha come into the front row on either side of Eusebio Guinazu and with Donnacha Ryan making the switch to 6 this weekend, Billy Holland returns to the starting line-up alongside Paul O'Connell in the second row. This is the first time O'Connell has played at the redeveloped ground, and coincidentally, the last time he played in Cork was against the Dragons, in September 2013.
Ryan is joined in the back row by Paddy Butler at 7 and last weekend's Man of the Match CJ Stander who continues at number 8.
Conor Murray and Ian Keatley - who wins his 100th Munster cap - remain at half back, as do captain Denis Hurley and Andrew Smith in the centre, while the only change in the backline sees Ronan O'Mahony join the back three alongside Keith Earls and Felix Jones.
Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley - capt., Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; John Ryan, Eusebio Guinazu, BJ Botha; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Donnacha Ryan, Paddy Butler, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Sean Dougall, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Andrew Conway.
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