O’Connell Set To Feature

Head Coach Rob Penney has named Paul O’Connell on the reserve bench to face the Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 at Musgrave Park on Saturday, 28th September, (ko 6.45pm).

Following a promising first outing in the league against Edinburgh James Cronin has been selected to start at loosehead prop alongside Damien Varley and John Ryan in the front row.

Keith Earls shifts in from the wing to start in the number 13 jersey in a new centre partnership with Ivan Dineen.

Felix Jones is also in line to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from shoulder surgery as he is named amongst the substitutes.

Munster: Johne Murphy; Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo; JJ Hanrahan, Cathal Sheridan; James Cronin, Damien Varley, John Ryan; Donncha O’Callaghan, Dave Foley; Peter O’Mahony (Capt.), Sean Dougall, Paddy Butler. Replacements: Mike Sherry, David Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Paul O’Connell, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Felix Jones.