History making Heineken Cup

The match is part of a record opening weekend of European rugby union, with a total of 12 matches live on Sky Sports between Thursday, October 7 and Sunday, October 10.

Munster, who still head the ERC rankings following two tournament wins, two finals appearances, five semi-finals and three quarter-finals, head to the Madejski Stadium to take on a London Irish side who reached the last four of Europe's premier competition in 2008.

The match is part of a thrilling first round of Heineken Cup rugby which also sees the likes of Northampton Saints versus Castres Olympique, Leinster versus Racing Metro, ASM Clermont Auvergne versus Saracens and RC Toulon versus the Ospreys shown live on Sky Sports.

England's autumn internationals then join London Irish versus Munster on the Sky 3D line up as Martin Johnson's men take on New Zealand, Australia and World Champions South Africa at Twickenham this November in the world's first in-home 3D Rugby Union internationals.

"The power, athleticism and sheer size of these phenomenal sportsmen are made for three dimensions," said Sky Sports' rugby union executive producer Martin Turner.

"It'll be rugby union as you've never seen it before and to have Sky 3D available in homes makes it even more exciting."

The launch of the Sky 3D channel in the home follows the successful introduction of 3D broadcasts in pubs and clubs. Since April 2010, over a million sports fans have enjoyed live 3D coverage in more than 1,500 pubs across the country.

Last season's Heineken Cup Final bewteen Toulouse and Biarritz Olympique pays Basques was shown in 3D, as will this season's showpiece in Cardiff.