Horan back on the front line

Marcus Horan returns to the Munster frontrow for Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens. The prop's inclusion is the only change to the team that defeated Gloucester 16-3 in the quarter-finals.

Horan's selection at loosehead sees Tony Buckley drop out of the match 22 altogether with Federico Puccieriello preferred on the replacement's bench.

There is also no place in the squad for veteran number eight Anthoney Foley, coach Declan Kidney giving Donnacha Ryan the nod while Barry Murphy comes in ahead of Kieran Lewis.

Kidney has again opted for Tomas O'Leary ahead of Peter Stringer at scrumhalf.

Horan was a late withdrawal from Kingsholm earlier this month, a back injury ruling him out.  Buckley was promoted to the starting line-up but struggled to cope at the set-piece, Kidney calling him ashore after just 33 minutes as the Munster scrum creaked.

And against a Saracens scrum the Munster backroom staff have described as a "machine", Kidney clearly feels Puccieriello provides a better option on the bench.

"I've said before that we are very fortunate to have such a strong squad and with nearly everyone available, it's always a very difficult side to pick," said Kidney today. "That in turn is a great reflection on the players themselves and on the medical/strength and conditioning staff who have done so well to have the players in the condition they're in at this stage of the season.

"We've seen a lot of good performances in recent weeks and we believe the selection reflects that."

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney, meanwhile, has made four changes to his forward's division for the showdown at the Ricoh Arena.

Back come Richard Hill, Matt Cairns, Kris Chesney and Cobus Visagie as Gaffney attempts to put the Munster's pack under intense pressure.

The former Munster coach has talked of the need to nullify their opponent's engine room and will rely on the vastly experienced Hill to provide the leadership up front.

"We had to make some tough decisions and there were some disappointed players," explained Gaffney today. "Everyone in the squad realises that this is a huge stage to play on and we've picked a side which we believe can win the game.

"They have some formidable players and when you look through their squad, you realise you are facing practically an international side - just as we did in the quarter-finals against the Ospreys. So we can expect the intensity to be fierce and near test match level.

"However, we know that if we perform to our ability we have the players who can compete and there are areas we believe we can match or better them - the key is to play to our strengths."

Outhalf Glen Jackson believes his opposite number is the best in the game at kicking for position but feels closing O'Gara down quickly is the key to unsettling Munster.

"Ronan is a very talented footballer and probably the best field-kicker in the game at the moment," said Jackson. "He is someone that Munster rely on heavily, and if we can close him down then things will happen for us.

"Like any outhalf, if you can stop him getting front-foot ball that will help nullify him."

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, R Tipoki, L Mafi, 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, D Leamy. Replacements: F Sheahan, F Puccieriello, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, P Stringer, P Warwick, B Murphy.

Saracens: R Haughton; F Leonelli, K Sorrell, A Powell, K Ratuvou; G Jackson, N de Kock (capt); N Lloyd, M Cairns, C Visagie, H Vyvyan, K Chesney, P Gustard, R Hill, B Skirving. Replacements: F Ongaro, C Johnston, T Ryder, D Barrell, M Rauluni, G Ross, D Scarbrough.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).