Munster captain Paul O'Connell returns to action against Cardiff Blues in the Magner's Celtic League on Saturday after being named in the secondrow beside Donnacha Ryan.

The Ireland lock has made an appearance from the bench for Munster in recent weeks but has not yet featured in this year's Six Nations, having been troubled by a back injury since November.  The meeting with the Blues offers him a chance to prove his fitness to Eddie O'Sullivan who desperately needs his vice-captain back to restore some stability to a hitherto faltering lineout.

Fellow Ireland squad members Alan Quinlan, Peter Stringer and Tony Buckley are also set to start the game at the Arms Park.

Munster are currently third in the league, eight points adrift of leaders Leinster but with a game in hand.

The Blues are level with Declan Kidney's side having played a game extra and have opted to give outhalf Rhys Jones his first start since arriving from Sale Sharks on a season long loan in December.

Speaking ahead of the match coach David Young said: "They are just ahead of us in the league so it's an important game for both sides. It is also a game either team could win, but we are determined to get the right result to keep us in the title race."

Munster: Shaun Payne; Brian Carney, Kieran Lewis, Lifeimi Mafi, Doug Howlett; Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer; Anthony Foley, Niall Ronan, Alan Quinlan; Paul O'Connell (captain), Donnacha Ryan; Tony Buckley, Frank Sheahan, Federico Pucciariello

Replacements: Denis Fogarty, Eugene McGovern, Mark Melbourne, John O'Sullivan, James Coughlan, Tomas O'Leary, Jeremy Manning

Cardiff Blues: Ben Blair; Tal Selley, Jamie Robinson, Gareth Thomas, Jamie Roberts; Rhys Jones, Richie Rees; Xavier Rush (c), Robin Sowden Taylor, Mamma Molitika; Paul Tito, Deiniol Jones; Gary Powell, T Rhys Thomas, John Yapp

Replacements: Tauf'ao Filise, Gareth Williams, Scott Morgan, Ben White, Jason Spice, Nick Macleod, Dafydd Hewitt