Tony McGahan has left little to chance in naming his Munster side to face the Ospreys int he Magners League at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (6.30pm).
Number eight James Coughlan, who captained Munster in their two British & Irish Cup victories, will anchor the scrum and newcomer Wian du Preez starts in the frontrow beside Denis Fogarty and Ireland prop John Hayes.
There is little respite for the latter's international team-mates, either. Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Tomás O’Leary, Ronan O’Gara and Keith Earls all feature after beating the Springboks with Ireland last weekend.
The inclusions of Coughlan, Hayes and du Preez are three of five changes to the side, with Denis Leamy, Stephen Archer and Julien Brugnaut making way.
Niall Ronan replaces David Wallace at openside, while Doug Howlett returns to the wing for the first time since injuring a hamstring against Benetton Treviso in mid October.
Coughlan, who performed so brilliantly when the All Blacks narrowly won at Thomond Park last season, is relishing the chance of joining Ronan in the backrow again.
"Yes really looking forward to the game at the Liberty. There is huge competition here in Munster for places in the back row and a good healthy rivalry among those of us looking for the jersey.
“I wouldn't say there's any niggle in training but it is competitive. It has to be and if it wasn't we wouldn't be as successful a squad as we are."
Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, J de Villiers, L Mafi, K Earls; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, T Buckley, D Ryan, M O'Driscoll, N Williams, P Stringer, D Hurley, I Dowling,
