O'Gara returns having missed the Magners League trip to the Ospreys last weekend in which Paul Warwick also picked up a niggle. Happily for Munster, however, Warwick has recovered and is preferred at full-back to the benched Denis Hurley.

Munster make one other change, in the back row, where a fit-again Denis Leamy replaces John O'Sullivan and there is also just one change on the replacements bench from that October game with Niall Ronan in for Justin Melck who has returned to his native South Africa.

Speaking at the squad announcement in the Heineken Brewery, second row Donncha O'Callaghan outlined the enormity of the task Munster face.

"Sale are a quality side, they really are. I watched them against London Irish and they were very impressive," he said.

"They have quality players right across the field, they're a big abrasive team, well able to put themselves about but at the same time they can play good rugby when they decide to.

"The group is still wide open. Any one of three can still win it - I wouldn't rule Clermont Auvergne out although they have to travel to Sale. So this is a cup final for both of us, simple as that."