Horan, Ryan back for Munster

Tony McGahan continues to ring the changes with Marcus Horan and Donnacha Ryan set to make their first appearance of the season in the last of the three pre-season games against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday evening(7.30pm).

In all McGahan makes eleven changes – three of those positional –  to the starting XV from last week.  The positional changes see Paul Warwick switching from centre to out-half; Denis Hurley from full-back to the wing and Billy Holland moving from lock to blindside wing-forward.

Horan comes in to add his vast experience to a front row that includes replacement from last weekend Denis Fogarty while there is a first start also for French international prop Julien Brugnaut. Mick O’Driscoll will lead the side from the second row alongside Ryan.

Scott Deasy the Academy player who has impressed in the two games to date teams up with Tom Gleeson in midfield, Danny Barnes, scorer of two tries last weekend against London Irish retains his wing position and Felix Jones gets his first start after a brief cameo last weekend.

Leicester Tigers, with seven summer signings, will be looking for a third successive pre-season victory after overcoming Nottingham and Cardiff Blues in successive weekends.

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, T Gleeson, S Deasy, D Barnes; P Warwick, P Stringer; M Horan, D Fogarty, J Brugnaut; M O’Driscoll capt, D Ryan; B Holland, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, D Ryan, I Nagle, T O’Donnell, T Morland, A Burke, D Riordan, S Archer, J Coughlan, R O’Mahony.