Munster head coach Johann van Graan has brought in ten Irish internationals as part of 14 changes from the starting XV which lost narrowly to Ulster for the Guinness Pro14 clash with Connacht on Saturday.
In the front row, James Cronin returns to the side after successfully rehabbing an abdomen injury and he is joined by Kevin O'Byrne and Stephen Archer. Cronin is set to make his 100th Guinness PRO14 appearance.
Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne will form the second-row partnership at The Sportsground while Gavin Coombes, captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander make up the back-row combination.
In the half backs, Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan renew their partnership alongside Damian De Allende and Chris Farrell in the centre.
Shane Daly, who is the only player to retain his position from the Ulster game, starts on the left wing. Keith Earls takes up the other wing spot and Mike Haley slots in at full back.
There are two academy players named amongst the replacements: Josh Wycherley and Ben Healy.
Fineen Wycherley is set to make his 50th appearance for Munster if sprung from the bench.
Munster: Mike Haley; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Gavin Coombes, Peter O’Mahony (c), CJ Stander.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland, Nick McCarthy, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.
Connacht have made four changes to the team that beat Leinster.
Finlay Bealham starts in the front row at tighthead prop alongside Denis Buckley and Shane Delahunt, while Ultan Dillane will partner fellow Ireland international Quinn Roux in the second row.
Sean O'Brien returns from injury to take his place in the back row which also features Conor Oliver and Sean Masterson.
The fourth change sees Ben O'Donnell starting on the wing as part of a back three with John Porch and Alex Wootton.
Jack Carty and Caolin Blade who won plaudits for their performances against Leinster retain their places at out-half and scrum-half respectively.
Connacht team: John Porch; Ben O'Donnell, Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Alex Wootton; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux, Sean O’Brien, Conor Oliver, Sean Masterson
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Matthew Burke, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Kieran Marmion, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Peter Sullivan.
Follow Leinster v Ulster (7.35pm Friday) and Connacht v Munster (7.35pm Saturday) via our live blogs on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra and RTÉ Radio 1.
