Rugby:Tony McGahan has opted to start Ireland's Keith Earls in the centre instead of South African import Jean De Villiers for the crucial Heineken Cup showdown with Perpignan at Thomond Park tomorrow night (8pm). The Springbok must settle for a place on the bench for the first of two encounters with French side in the space of nine days.

The decision is a huge vote of confidence for the youngster, given that he is getting the nod over the province’s high profile summer signing, regarded by many as one of the game’s best centres.

His partnership with Lifeimi Mafi, however, has not blossomed as McGahan would have hoped and Earls, the heir apparent to Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland number 13 shirt, is the main benefactor.

The gap he leaves on the wing is also good news for another Irish prospect Denis Hurley, who gets the call ahead of Ian Dowling.

David Wallace and Denis Leamy return to the pack after being rested for the Magners League defeat to the Ospreys last weekend.

Springbok signing Wian du Preez continues in the absence of Marcus Horan, while John Hayes joins him in the frontrow, but Jerry Flannery misses out because of “a slight Achilles problem”.

Denis Fogarty will deputise at hooker.

Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell capt; A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, D Hurley, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, N Ronan, P Stringer, J de Villiers.

Perpignan: J Porical, F Sid, D Marty, M Mermoz, C Manas, G Hume, N Durand, P Freshwater, G Guirado, N Mas [capt], O Olibeau, R Tchale Watchou, Y Vivalda, B Guiry, Y Parent. Replacements: M Tincu, J Schuster, K Pulu, C Geli, D Mele, J Grandclaude, P Burger, R Alvarez Kairelis