Munster have plenty of strength in reserve

Celtic League: Munster coach Declan Kidney has made nine changes from the team that beat Clermont Auvergne for tonight's Celtic League clash in Cork.

Munster v Dragons Musgrave Park, 7.30 On TV: Setanta Sports

Denis Hurley comes in for the ageless Shaun Payne at fullback while Kieran Lewis replaces Rua Tipoki at outside centre, the latter dropping to the bench.

Ronan O'Gara, who captained Munster in their victory over the French side the last day, is named among the replacements, the Australian pivot Paul Warwick given an opportunity to start. Kidney has plumped for the completely new front row of Federico Pucciariello, Frankie Sheahan and Tony Buckley, with Marcus Horan and Jerry Flannery starting on the bench.

Donnacha Ryan will partner Mick O'Driscoll in the second row while Anthony Foley will captain the team from number eight in a back row that includes the former Leinster man Niall Ronan. Underlining Munster's reserve strength is the presence of Donncha O'Callaghan and Denis Leamy on the bench.

The Dragons, hit by injury and international commitments, also make wholesale alterations. Among the backs there are three changes. Martyn Thomas replaces Kevin Morgan at fullback while Paul Emerick comes in for the injured Gareth Wyatt. At outhalf Aled Thomas starts following Ceri Sweeney's call-up to the Wales squad.

Young prop Hugh Gustafson starts at loosehead while Jamie Corsi makes his first start of the season, coming in for Rhys Thomas at tighthead.

There is an all new second-row partnership, with Andrew Hall partnering Adam Jones. Michael Owen reverts to number eight and will lead the team.

Munster will be strong favourites to win even allowing for all the changes they've made.

Kidney can also call upon so many frontline players from the bench if they are required. They should not be.

MUNSTER: D Hurley; B Carney, K Lewis, L Mafi, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; F Pucciariello, F Sheahan, T Buckley; D Ryan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, N Ronan, A Foley (capt). Replacements: J Flannery, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, D Leamy, G Hurley, R O'Gara, R Tipoki.

DRAGONS: M Thomas; P Emerick, R Davies, A Smith, R Mustoe; A Thomas, W Evans; H Gustafson, S Jones, J Corsi; A Hall, A Jones; J Ringer, R Parks, M Owen (capt). Replacements: B Daly/K Crawford, A Black, P Sidoli, J Bearman, K Morgan, P Dollman, R Lewis.