Sale sounded warning signals to the Irish giants by claiming a stunning bonus point victory against Clermont Auvergne in France last Saturday, the result coming less than 24 hours after Munster struggled before edging past Pool One outsiders Montauban.

Sale are again without injured England prop Andrew Sheridan, while lock Kristian Ormsby’s one-match ban means number eight Sebastien Chabal moves to the second-row.

Munster have lost injured centre Rua Tipoki, so the highly-rated Keith Earls starts at outside centre and Paul Warwick wears the number 15 shirt.

And Munster boss Tony McGahan has made an interesting tactical switch, with flanker John O’Sullivan handed a call-up and openside David Wallace starting at number eight instead of Justin Melck.

McGahan said: “John has played very well for us whenever he’s been called on.

“He is a very good on-the-ground type of player whose style will complement the back-row, given the tight pitch and type of game we expect.”