Munster coach Alan Gaffney has made ten changes to his side to face Neath in the Celtic League on Saturday evening.
With the international players back in action for the province, plus the return to action of skipper Jim Williams after his knee injury, Gaffney was able to name a near full strength starting XV for the trip to the Courage Knoll.
A win for Munster, beaten finalists last year, would leapfrog them above Neath in the pool A table and guarantee a play-off spot as this season’s campaign heats up.
Gaffney, who has been without the services of several key players for the last four Celtic League matches, including last weekend’s defeat to Ulster, also intends to use the match as preparation for the Heineken Cup, which gets underway next week.
"We’ve picked the strongest possible side for what will be a very difficult game," Gaffney said. "They [Neath] need to win this one and if last year’s game is anything to go by then we are in for a very tough game.
"This game will provide very useful preparation for us for the European Cup game against Gloucester the following week but first and foremost it’s a game we need to win to secure our place in the quarter-final of the Celtic League and that’s what it’s about."
With five players in contention for the back row places, Gaffney also spoke of the selection headache the form of certain players had caused.
"The selection itself was difficult with players like Denis Leamy and Colm McMahon unlucky to lose out. With both of those it’s a question of us having an embarassment of riches in the back row.
"Denis has done superbly well for us in the two games he’s played and Colm has been equally as impressive when he came on for the final quarter in our last games. But when you look at the players who have replaced them you see how unfortunate Colm and Denis are."
Munster: Jeremy Staunton; John Kelly, Mike Mullins, Rob Hendeson, Mossie Lawlor; Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan, Frank Sheahan, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll; Jim Williams capt, Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley.
Replacements- Simon Kerr, James Blaney, Mick Galwey, Eddie Halvey, Denis Leamy, Mike Prendergast,Dominic Malone, Jason Holland, Dominic Crotty.