Ronan O’Gara will lead Munster out at Rodney Parade tomorrow, having been given the captain’s armband by coach Tony McGahan. The Ireland outhalf is the only personnel change in the backline ahead of the Magners League meeting with the Dragons.
Denis Hurley moves from full-back to the left wing to replace Ian Dowling, who injured his ankle in the 19-12 win over Edinburgh a fortnight ago.
Up front, Bill Holland will join Mick O’Driscoll in the secondrow as Tommy O'Donnell takes over form the injured Niall Ronan in the backrow.
Flanker Alan Quinlan will win his 189th cap tomorrow (6.30pm), though he’s still a way off Anthony Foley’s record of 201.
"I'd have to say it's not something I've been giving any thought to really, more concentrating on the job in hand," Quinlan said today. "This is a big game for us. This is a very tight league, very competitive and our ambition is to be involved in the play-offs.
"Our away form hasn't been good and that's something we're very aware of and looking to correct - but saying that, Rodney Parade is never an easy place to go to get a result.
“Dragons have improved immensely from when we played them, they've beaten Leinster here and last time out they drew in Ravenhill. That makes them a very good side.
"I've no doubt they'll be up for this one big-time so we can expect nothing less than a game of huge intensity that will go right down to the wire."
McGahan has included Academy pair Ian Nagle and Scott Deasy on the bench alongside Duncan Williams and Ciaran O'Boyle, who scored a superb try in this fixture last season.
Dragons coach Paul Turner has called on hooker Tom Willis to lead his side, while Steve Jones has recovered from an abdominal injury to take a place on the bench.
Dragons (v Munster): M Thomas, W Harries, M Watkins, A Smith, A Brew, J Tovey, W Evans; H Gustafson, T Willis (c), B Castle, A Jones, L Charteris , D Lydiate, G Thomas, L Evans.
Replacements:S Jones, P Palmer, R Sidoli, H Macdonald, T Riley, J Arlidge, J Leadbeater.
Munster:P Warwick; D Howlett, L Mafi, J de Villiers, D Hurley; R O'Gara (capt), P Stringer; M Horan, D Fogarty, T Buckley; M O'Driscoll, B Holland; A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan.
Replacements:D Varley, J Brugnaut, I Nagle, N Williams, D Williams, S Deasy, C O'Boyle.