Winger Ian Dowling will make his first Heineken Cup start for Munster when Declan Kidney’s side take on Castres at the Stade Pierre-Antoine on Friday night.

Dowling’s fifth cap comes on a day when Munster captain Anthony Foley makes his 155th competitive appearance for the province.

The youngster impressed in the Celtic League against Edinburgh last week and retains his place along with the rest of the back line after John Kelly recovered from a knock he suffered in the 17-18 away win.

Kidney has made three changes up front to allow Marcus Horan, Denis Leamy and Foley to return. Federico Pucciariello, Stephen Keogh and Mick O’Driscoll drop to the bench.

Munster: S Payne; J Kelly, B Murphy, T Halstead, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley capt

Replacements: D Fogarty F Pucciariello, M O'Driscoll, S Keogh, T O'Leary, J Manning, G Connolly.