Ulster look likely to have the misfortune of being the first club or provincial side in eight months to face Paul O'Connell after the Ireland lock was named among the Munster replacements ahead of the Magners League clash at Ravenhill tomorrow.
O'Connell has not featured for Munster since the 38-20 victory over Glasgow in the final game of last season. He has, of course, seen competitive action since then, in the shape of Ireland's World Cup campaign that ended so prematurely in September, but a back injury prevented him from playing since.
His recovery period was always a grey area, so much so that he was not named in the original squad to face Ulster. Having trained well this week, however, coach Declan Kidney has decided to name him on the bench.
"Paul's recovery was a very much a question of monitoring it on a day to day basis," said Kidney today. "He trained earlier in the week but had we named him then it might have put unnecessary focus on him so we felt it better to wait and see how he came through yestreday's session before including him or not.
"He is fine today and now there is a possibility of him getting some game time on Friday."
Kidney has made 10 personnel changes from the team that beat Connacht last weekend, but there is no place in the starting line-up for New Zealand wing Doug Howlett, who will, for now, have to be content alongside O'Connell on the sideline.
It is doubtful whether there has ever been a stronger impact pairing on any Irish bench and they are in good company too, with Frankie Sheahan, Tony Buckley, Niall Ronan, Paul Warwick and Tomas O'Leary, who has recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
In the backrow, Kidney has opted to move Donnacha Ryan from the secondrow to partner David Wallace and number eight Anthony Foley. There is no place for Denis Leamy among the 22.
Ryan's move leaves Mick O'Driscoll and Donncha O'Callaghan in the secondrow, behind a formidable frontrow consisting of props John Hayes and Marcus Horan, and hooker Jerry Flannery.
The backline sees changes too, with Anthony Horgan going straight into the starting line-up on left wing instead of Ian Dowling. Brian Carney will operate on the other side with Shaun Payne at fullback.
Yesterday, Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams named Italian international Carlo Del Fava captain in the absence of Rory Best, while outhalf David Humphreys starts beside Paul Marshall.
Munster: Shaun Payne; Brian Carney, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Anthony Horgan; Ronan O'Gara capt, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll; Donnacha Ryan, David Wallace, Anthony Foley.
Replacements: Frank Sheahan, Tony Buckley, Paul O'Connell, Niall Ronan, Tomas O'Leary, Paul Warwick, Doug Howlett.
Ulster: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Wallace, S Danielli; D Humphreys, P Marshall; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, C Del Fava(c), R Caldwell, M McCullough, N Best, G Webb
Replacements: B Young, S Philpott, J Harrison, D Pollock, M McCrea, I Boss, N O'Connor
