Munster make five changes for their visit to Cardiff with James Cronin and Mike Sherry returning to the pack and Dave Foley slotting in with captain Billy Holland in the second row.

Robin Copeland also comes in at number 8 forcing a backrow reshuffle while winger Ronan O’Mahony has overcome his hamstring complaint to join the back three. Academy second row and Kerry native Sean McCarthy, if he comes off the bench, will make his first Pro12 appearance.

Cardiff are desperately seeking a boost and have won just once in their last four league outings, while Munster are looking for their third win in a row after beating Treviso and Newport.

Munster also haven’t lost in the Cardiff Arms Park since 2009, a streak Foley would dearly wish to continue as his team flirts with a top four place.

These are the matches Munster need to win if they want to belong in the playoff mix. Just four points shy of fourth placed Ulster and there’s really just a one match swing in it.

Foley will also travel buoyed by the fact his short term future with the club is secure having signed a one year contract during the week which will keep him at Munnster for the 2016-17 season.

USA international Cam Dolan starts for Cardiff for this rearranged fixture which was, like Leinster’s game, postponed due to bad weather. Dolan goes into the secondrow with Josh Turnbull and is one of six changes to the Cardiff side that narrowly lost to Glasgow last timeout. Four of those changes are in the pack.

“We know the size of the challenge; Munster Rugby are well coached and have huge depth in terms of playing resource,” said Head Coach Danny Wilson.

“They will have players away on international duty, but are still a very dangerous and talented side. Munster have been one of the best sides in the Guinness PRO12 and Europe over a number of years so it’s a big test.”

Cardiff Blues: D Fish; A Summerhill, G Smith, R Lee-Lo, B Scully; R Patchell, L Williams; B Thyer, M Rees (c), S Ma'afu, C Dolan, J Turnbull, M Cook, E Jenkins, J Navidi. Replacements: K Dacey, T Davies, T Filise, L Reed, M Vosawai, L Jones, J Evans, G Evans

Munster: A Conway, D Sweetnam, F Saili, R Scannell, R O'Mahony; I Keatley, D Williams; J Cronin, M Sherry, J Ryan; D Foley, B Holland (C) J O'Donoghue, D O'Callaghan, R Copeland. Replacements: N Scannell, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, S McCarthy, J Coghlan, C Sheridan, J Holland, D Johnston.

Referee: D Wilkinson (IRFU).