Donncha O'Callaghan wins his 200th cap and will partner Mick O'Driscoll, who captains the side, while Peter O'Mahony moves to number 8 in the absence of Coughlan and Donnacha Ryan is named at blindside wing forward.
In the backs the versatile Johne Murphy takes over from Earls at 13, Luke O'Dea replaces Hurley and Ian Keatley is in for the injured O'Gara with Tomas O'Leary preferred on this occasion to Conor Murray.
Munster: F Jones; L O'Dea, J Murphy, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O'Leary: W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll capt; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony. Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, J Ryan, B Holland, P Butler, C Murray, S Deasy, I Dineen