Peter O’Mahony returns to lead Munster for Scarlets test

No Paul O'Connell but Peter O'Mahony returns. As far as replacements go, Munster don't have any better.

Leinster were felled spectacularly last week; the season reborn it seemed. Tonight will tell us more.

“Next week I could be standing in front of you and you’re asking ‘where did it all go wrong?’ You know? I’m fully aware of that,” said Anthony Foley six days ago. And still he takes a gamble tonight with the starting XV. Now comes the test of rotation.

O’Connell is iced after three 80-minute runs since September 19th. He seems primed for European wars with English clubs Sale and Saracens with the Springboks to follow.

O’Mahony steps neatly into the leadership role with Felix Jones, retained at fullback, relinquishing the captaincy. Andrew Conway’s cursed run of injuries opens the door for Gerhard van den Heever at right wing.

Key performer

Denis Hurley is another key performer against Leinster left out of this evening’s 23. Ivan Dineen gets another chance in the continued absence of Tyler Bleyendaal.

Foley further dilutes his backline by benching Ian Keatley – so impressive at the Aviva stadium that international recognition was mentioned – with JJ Hanrahan starting at 10 for the second time this season.

The front row is all change as injuries to Damien Varley (foot) and Duncan Casey (ribs) mean Argentinian international Eusebio Guinazu moves directly from A team duty to the replacements behind Kevin O’Byrne. Dave Kilcoyne needs a big night to keep James Cronin at bay in what has become a live scrap for the loosehead slot against South Africa next month. BJ Botha replaces Stephen Archer.

The increasingly impressive Dave Foley is partnered by Billy Holland as Donncha O’Callaghan remains way down the pecking order. Robin Copeland is the man to make way for O’Mahony as CJ Stander goes to number eight.

That's an awful lot of changes for the visit of a Scarlets side in decent enough form. Wayne Pivac makes a few changes as well but the attack will be directed by Welsh fly-half Rhys Priestland.

With big European tests imminent, the risk Foley takes with eight changes is understandable. But to slump for a third time in Limerick is unthinkable.

Foley has placed trust in his squad. A four-match winning streak needs to be their repayment.