With Munster having already wrapped up top spot in the Magners League it’s a chance for O’Leary to stake a claim for a place in Kidney’s squad for the trip to New Zealand as well as in Munster’s play-off semi-final.

Eoin Reddan has been Ireland first choice since O’Leary’s back injury which kept him out of Ireland’s last three RBS 6 Nations matches.

O’Leary’s immediate return to the Munster line-up comes after a surprise Challenge Cup defeat by Harlequins last week with young hope Conor Murray dropping out of the side.

O’Leary will form a half-back pair with Ronan O’Gara, one of just four players retained from the shock defeat last time out along with Felix Jones, Doug Howlett and Denis Leamy.

“It was disappointing to play like that especially in front of our own supporters who turned up in huge numbers,” said O’Gara.

“We pride ourselves on giving them value for their loyalty and last weekend we failed. Simple as that.”

“We have to hold our hands up, take responsibility. And we will. All we can do now is try and regain some of the ground we've lost when we get the opportunity and that opportunity presents itself this evening,” he added.