Skipper Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls return to the Munster starting XV for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Northampton at Thomond Park, where Dolphin’s James Coughlan will make his first European start at number eight.
The inclusion of Coughlan , 29, whose five previous appearances in the competition have come off the bench, sees David Wallace move over to openside flanker in place of Niall Ronan, who is named on the bench.
Mick O’Driscoll loses out to O’Connell in the secondrow, while Earls takes over from Lifeimi Mafi at outside centre as he joins Jean de Villiers in the midfield. O’Driscoll and Mafi are both named on the bench.
That means Munster will have the same backline in action that beat the Saints 12-9 at Thomond Park back in January during the pool stages.
The main changes take place in the pack with Marcus Horan replacing Wian du Preez at loosehead, Jerry Flanery returning in place of Denis Fogarty and the inclusion of Coughlan ahead of Ronan.
Northampton have opted for former Rugby League player Stephen Meyler at outhalf ahead of Shane Geraghty, while their backrow will contain some familiar faces with Ireland internationals Neil Best and Roger Wilson named in their side.
Munster:P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, J de Villiers, I Dowling; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt), A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, N Williams, N Ronan, P Stringer, L Mafi.
Northampton:B Foden; C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, B Reihana; S Myler, L Dickson; S Tonga'uiha, D Hartley (capt), E Murray, C Lawes, J Kruger, P Dowson, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: B Sharman, R Dreyer, B Mujati, I Fernandez Lobbe, M Easter, A Dickens, S Geraghty, J Ansbro.