Declan Kidney has named winger Ian Dowling and flanker Stephen Keogh in the Munster line-up for the Celtic League game against second placed Edinburgh Gunners at Murrayfield tomorrow evening.
The starting XV shows five changes from the one that took the field against Leinster.
Centre Trevor Halstead, who replaced Gary Connolly at the RDS against Leinster, will renew his partnership with Barry Murphy, while Dowling takes over from Anthony Horgan who is to be rested after a busy Christmas schedule.
In the pack the experience of prop John Hayes and lock Donncha O’Callaghan gets the nod, while Keogh replaces Denis Leamy who has also been afforded some time off having featured in every game since playing his part in all three Autumn internationals.
Edinburgh’s interim coach Todd Blackadder has made two changes to the side that defeated the Border Reivers 30-25 at Murrayfield on Boxing Day.
Argentinean winger Francisco Leonelli returns to the starting line-up in place of Simon Webster, as does Dave Hewett who replaces prop Allan Jacobsen.
Speaking ahead of the game Blackadder said: "This is a great opportunity against the front runners in the Celtic League.
"We picked up five points from our game against the Reivers but we knew our match against Munster was coming up. They are top of the league but we will be playing at home.
"We've had a good start to the Celtic League season and that is something that we should be really proud of. We've got a good strong, quality side," he added.
Brian O’Driscoll will agains start alonside Gordon D’Arcy for Leinster’s clash with Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on Saturday.
O’Driscoll has recovered sufficiently from the knock he took to his shoulder against Munster, his first competitive start since the Lions Tour in June.
Winger Rob Kearney again misses out with a back strain in an unchanged backline.
Michael Cheika will finalise his pack selection and name another substitute closer to kick-off.
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; S Keogh, D Wallace, A Foley
Replacements: F Pucciariello, D Leamy, T Hogan, M O'Driscoll, T O'Leary, J Manning, G Connolly.
Leinster: G Dempsey, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll(c), G D'Arcy, K Lewis, F Contepomi, G Easterby, R Corrigan, B Blaney, W Green, M O'Kelly / B Williams, A Byrnes, C Jowitt / E Miller, K Gleeson, J Heaslip
Replacements: R McCormack, D Blaney, N Ronan, B O'Riordan, J Hepworth, D Hickie
