Stringer restored to Munster XV

Ronan O'Gara will lead Munster in the Magners League clash with Leinster at the RDS on Saturday, kick-off 6.30pm.

O'Gara will be partnered this time around by Peter Stringer in the only change to the backline that started last time out against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Up front Tony Buckley comes in for Marcus Horan in the front row, Mick O'Driscoll joins Donncha O'Callaghan in the second row while Anthony Foley's return to the number 8 jersey sees a back-row reshuffle from last weekend with Denis Leamy moving to openside wing-forward.

Looking forward to the game coach Declan Kidney said: ‘Munster Leinster games have always been great occasions and I don't expect this one to be any different. We have two good sides, we'll have a full house and two teams with a lot to play for. You couldn't ask for more than that. I think the whole occasion will be a great advertisement for the Magners League competition.

‘In terms of the selection, we have a good panel and players are always looking for games so its a question of trying to come up with the right mix.’

Munster XV v Leinster: D Hurley; D Howlett, L Mafi, R Tipoki, I Dowling; R O'Gara capt, P Stringer; T Buckley, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Leamy, A Foley.

Replacements: F Sheahan, F Pucciariello, P O'Connell, N Ronan, T O'Leary, P Warwick, K Lewis.