Dowling In, Tipoki Out.

Ian Dowling has recovered from the knock he sustained last weekend against Montauban and is included in the Munster side for Sunday’s clash with Sale Sharks but Rua Tipoki failed a fitness test this morning and is ruled out.

The Tipoki injury has forced coach Tony McGahan to reshuffl his backline with Keith Earls selected to partner Lifeimi Mafi in midfield and Paul Warwick handed the number 15 shirt.

McGahan makes just one change up front with John O’Sullivan coming into the backrow in place of Justin Melck, who is named on the bench, O’Sullivan selected on the open side flank with David Wallace at number 8. Explaining that change McGahan said, “John has played very well for us whenever he’s been called on. He’s 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.”

Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett; K Earls, L Mafi, I Dowling, R O’Gara, T O’Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; A Quinlan, J O’Sullivan, D Wallace. Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, D Ryan, J Melck, P Stringer, B Murphy, K Lewis.