MUNSTER RUGBY BOSS Rob Penney has recalled some of his big guns for tomorrow’s interprovincial clash with Ulster at Thomond Park (ko 5.30pm).
Peter O’Mahony, Simon Zebo and Conor Murray — who missed the victory over Connacht in Galway — return to the starting XV while Ronan O’Gara is named on the bench.
Ian Keatley retains the number 10 jersey while Peter Stringer drops to the replacements.
Damian Varley, who sat out the 16-12 win over Connacht at the Sportsground on Saturday, is also drafted into the side and is expecting a tough battle from the Ravenhill outfit.
“Ulster are on an unbelievable roll, there is no doubt about that. But they have been growing for some time now. It has just clicked for them this season. Their win over Leinster last weekend was very impressive,” he says.
“They have some great players up there and they are running away with it at the top of the table. But it would be a great way for us to finish 2012 by winning against them. We have a few big weeks ahead of us, Cardiff follow this one and then we have the two Heineken Cup games, two must-win matches with bonus points and all that needed.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played this season but we are looking no further than Ulster tomorrow”
Munster team to play Ulster: D Hurley; D Howlett (captain), C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, B Holland; P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell, P Butler.
Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, Dave O’Callaghan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, R O’Gara, F Jones.
