TOMÁS O’LEARY IS set to make his Munster comeback on Saturday — more than three years on from his last appearance for the province.
The fit-again scrum-half has been named on the bench for the first time since his return from London Irish, and looks likely to see some action against the Cardiff Blues.
Coach Anthony Foley makes six changes from the side which beat the Glasgow Warriors.
Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry and BJ Botha make up an all-new front row for the Pro12 clash in Musgrave Park (1.30pm).
Rory Scannell and Francis Saili return in midfield while Shane Monaghan gets the nod on the wing.
Denis Hurley is also named among the replacements following his injury but there was bad new for prop Stephen Archer who will require surgery on a neck injury and is expected to miss “a number of months.”
Munster
15. Andrew Conway
14. Shane Monahan
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Gerhard van den Heever
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Mike Sherry
3. BJ Botha
4. Mark Chisholm
5. Dave Foley
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Jack O’Donoghue
8. CJ Stander (c)
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. James Cronin
18. John Ryan
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jordan Coghlan
21. Tomás O’Leary
22. Denis Hurley
23. Dave Johnston
Cardiff Blues
15. Dan Fish
14. Garyn Smith
13. Tom Isaacs
12. Gavin Evans
11. Richard Smith
10. Rhys Patchell
9. Tavis Knoyle
1. Sam Hobbs
2. Matthew Rees (c)
3. Craig Mitchell
4. Lou Reed
5. James Down
6. Josh Turnbull
7. Ellis Jenkins
8. Manoa Vosawai
Replacements:
16. Kristian Dacey
17. Thomas Davies
18. Dillon Lewis
19. Macauley Cook
20. Jevon Groves
21. Lewis Jones
22. Gareth Davies
23. Harry Davies
