O’Gara, who helped the Munstermen to victory in the European Cup last season, was also named among their substitutes ahead of the victory against Edinburgh last week.

Paul Warwick keeps hold of the number 10 shirt at a sold-out Musgrave Park.

New Munster coach Tony McGahan has made just one change to the 22-man squad that featured in last week's opening win at Murrayfield for his first competitive home match in charge.

That change sees Denis Hurley return to the matchday squad with Rua Tipoki making way - although Hurley has to content himself with a place on the replacements bench as McGahan pairs the fit-again Barry Murphy with Lifeimi Mafi in midfield.

Up front, Mick O'Driscoll gets in ahead of Paul O'Connell and the Corkman will captain the side. Frankie Sheahan also gets to start on this occasion with Jerry Flannery on a very strong-looking bench.

Munster: Keith Earls; Doug Howlett, Barry Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling; Paul Warwick, Tomas O'Leary; Federico Pucciariello, Frankie Sheahan, Tony Buckley, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll (capt), Donnacha Ryan, John O'Sullivan, David Wallace.

Replacements: Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, Paul O'Connell, Justin Melck, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Denis Hurley.