Munster will be without prop Marcus Horan and his fellow Ireland international David Wallace for their trip to Leinster in the league on Saturday.
Flanker Wallace has a facial injury while Horan is troubled by a back problem so with captain Paul O'Connell amongst the replacements, Ronan O'Gara will lead the side in their crucial derby clash.
Peter Stringer is back in the side and will partner O'Gara at half-back while in the pack Tony Buckley comes in for Horan and Mick O'Driscoll joins Donncha O'Callaghan in the second row.
Anthony Foley takes the number 8 jersey and Denis Leamy moves to the openside position from the middle of the back-row.