O’Leary Back In The Mix

Tomas O’Leary returns to the Munster side for the first time since the game against London Irish in January, for tomorrow nights clash with Connacht at Thomond Park Stadium (7.05).

O'Leary will partner Ronan O'Gara who is just one of four players retained in the starting Xv from last weekend, the others being full back Felix Jones, wing Doug Howlett and Denis Leamy who this time around starts at number 8.

Danny Barnes will partner Johne Murphy in the centre while Simon Zebo takes over from Keith Earls on the wing.

O'Gara, who will win his 206th Munster cap tomorrow was honoured at a Civic Reception in Cork City Hall  last night to mark his contribution to a sport he was illuminated since first making his Munster senior debut back in August 1997.

Togging out with him on Friday will be his colleague through all those years, Alan Quinlan who wins his 211th Munster cap.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, J Murphy, D Barnes, S Zebo; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, M Sherry, J Hayes; D Ryan, P O'Connell capt; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, I Nagle, T O'Donnell, P Stringer, P Warwick, D Hurley.