Wallace starts - Horan on bench

Marcus Horan is back in the Munster squad for the first time since October for Friday’s must win Heineken Cup game against Northampton in Thomond Park.

Horan played for his club Shannon in the AIB League last weekend and is named amongst the replacements.

David Wallace is named in the team having overcome a slight calf strain.

The game marks the last appearance of South African international Wian du Preez before he returns home on Sunday.

Munster XV v Northampton in the Heineken Cup in Thomond Park, Friday at 8pm:

Paul Warwick, Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Jean de Villiers, Denis Hurley, Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary, Wian de Preez, Denis Fogarty, John Hayes, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell (c), Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, David Wallace.

Replacements: Damien Varley, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, James Coughlan, Peter Stringer, Lifemi Mafi, Ian Dowling.