Rugby:Mick O'Driscoll will make his 200th appearance for Munster when he leads the side out against Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 game in Rodney Parade tomorrow (KO: 6.30pm).
O'Driscoll is the 8th Munster player to reach the double century mark. But he will also make his 125th League appearance, which is a Munster record.
The second row, who made his provincial debut in 1998 against Neath, earned his first international cap against Romania in 2001. He has captained Munster on numerous occasions and along with Ronan O’Gara is one of the most experienced members of the squad.
With Danny Barnes sidelined through injury, new signing Save Tokula, who arrived in Cork just last Sunday week, lines out in the centre alongside Lifeimi Mafi.
The backline has just two changes in personnel from last week.
Luke O'Dea comes onto the wing in place of Simon Zebo, who was unable to take part in Munster training this week due to his involvement with the Irish squad in their base at Carton House.
Up front, only the back-row remains unchanged. Dave Foley replaces Billy Holland at lock while Denis Fogarty comes in for Damien Varley - who was also involved with Ireland - and Stephen Archer starts in place of BJ Botha.
Welsh lock Luke Charteris has been named in the Dragons’ starting line-up to face the reigning champions.
Charteris has recovered from a wrist injury to make his first appearance in a Dragons shirt this season and his first appearance on Welsh soil since returning from the World Cup. Centre Ashley Smith retains the captaincy for the Munster game having deputised capably in Charteris’ absence.
Tonderai Chavhanga returns to make his first appearance since suffering a rib injury against the Ospreys in early January. He replaces Adam Hughes, who is out with a facial injury picked up last week in Italy. Will Harries also comes into the backline at fullback replacing the injured Martyn Thomas.
Munster will look to pressurise Lewis Robling, who makes his first Dragons start at outhalf. Largely used as an inside centre during his first season with the senior side, he has played at 10 a number of times as a replacement.
With Charteris coming into the second row, Jevon Groves reverts to his preferred back row position in place of the injured Gavin Thomas. The final change is at prop where Nathan Williams comes in for Phil Price.
Newport:W Harris; T Chavhanga, A Tuilagi, A Smith, A Brew; L Robling, W Evans; N Williams, S Jones, N Buck, L Charteris, R Sidoli, J Groves, L Evans, T Brown. Replacements – S Parry, P Price, D way, H Ellis, D Waters, J Evans, J Dixon, S Jones
Munster:F Jones; L O'Dea, S Tokula, L Mafi, J Murphy; I Keatley, T O'Leary; M Horan, D Fogarty, S Archer; D Foley, M O'Driscoll capt; Dave O'Callaghan, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan. Replacements: Mike Sherry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, B Holland, P Butler, D Williams, S Deasy, Denis Hurley.
