Rugby:Denis Hurley is back in the Munster squad as Tony McGahan's side prepare to negotiate the unfamiliar terrain of the Amlin Challenge Cup in their quarter-final against Brive on Saturday.

The winger/fullback has been out since February with an ankle injury but comes into the 25-man squad for the trip to France.

Paul O’Connell is the most high-profile absentee, having damaged ankle ligaments in the win over Leinster at the weekend, but other than that Munster have no fresh concerns, with Jerry Flannery out for the season.

The physical encounter with their great rivals last Saturday left its mark on most, none more so than Ronan O’Gara who picked up a shiner for his troubles as he booted Munster to victory in the second half.

"The eye (that looked black and blue) isn't a problem at all but I'd be feeling fairly sore all over." he said today.

The game in Brive will be "as tough as anything we'd expect in France" added the Ireland outhalf, citing their impressive record at the Parc Municipal.

"You only have to look at their home record, some of the teams they've beaten - Stade (Francais), Clermont, Perpignan, Toulon - to see it's going to be a tough assignment for us.

“They're a typical French side, they take pride in their home performance, their supporters expect that, so yes it's going to be massive task for us to win there."

Munster squad (v Brive):Felix Jones, Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Lifeimi Mafi, Keith Earls, Paul Warwick, Ronan O'Gara, Conor Murray, Peter Stringer, Wian du Preez, Marcus Horan, Stephen Archer, John Hayes, Tony Buckley, Damien Varley, Mike Sherry, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, David Wallace, James Coughlan, Denis Leamy.