O'Connell boost for Munster

Inspirational captain and lock Paul O'Connell and his international team-mates scrum half Connor Murray and lock Donnacha Ryan have all been declared fit and are in the starting line-up.

O'Connell and Murray have both recovered from knee injuries while Ryan is back after shoulder damage.

And Ulster Rugby had a boost of their own when flanker Stephen Ferris was named in their starting line-up after being a doubt all week.

The Ireland flanker picked up an ankle injury against Aironi in last week's PRO12 clash, but has received extensive treatment throughout the week to be passed fit.

Ulster have made just one change to the starting team that registered a 45-7 victory over the Italians at Ravenhill last Friday. Dan Tuohy returns to partner Johann Muller in the second row, with Lewis Stevenson making way.

For their part Munster make seven changes from the Leinster game with Mike Sherry and Tommy O'Donnell making their first Heineken Cup starts.

In the backs there are two changes where the returns of Denis Hurley and Murray sees Johne Murphy and Tomas O'Leary moving to the bench.

Up front Wian du Preez starts his seventh consecutive Heineken Cup game with Peter O'Mahony switching from seven to six and O'Donnell preferred to David Wallace who is named on the bench.