MUNSTER are buoyed by the return from injury of Peter O’Mahony for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup tussle with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens, (3.45pm).
The winners of the match will earn a home tie in the Champions Cup round of 16 on the first weekend in April.
Former captain O’Mahony, an enforced absentee for the last three matches, returns after recovering from a calf contusion and is one of three changes to the side that beat Saracens at Thomond Park.
Diarmuid Kilgallen – who joined the club last Summer but has struggled with injuries – makes his competitive debut for Munster on the wing and Diarmuid Barron comes into the pack.
Mike Haley starts at full-back with Calvin Nash and Kilgallen on either wing.
There is an unchanged centre pairing of Rory Scannell and Tom Farrell with half-backs Conor Murray and Jack Crowley also remaining in situ.
Dian Bleuler, Barron and Oli Jager pack down in the front row as Fineen Wycherley and captain Tadhg Beirne continue their engine room partnership.
On the injury front, Shane Daly was unavailable for selection as he continues the graduated return-to-play protocols with John Hodnett ruled-out due to a knock.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne, captain; Peter O’Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Brian Gleeson.
