Edwin Edogbo will make his long-awaited return from injury for Munster in Friday night's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Edinburgh.
The 22-year-old second row hasn't played since suffering a torn achilles on St Stephen's Day 2023, but has been named on the bench by head coach Clayton McMillan for his first appearance in more than 21 months.
Speaking about Edogbo earlier in the week, assistant Mike Prendergast said he was excited about the Cobh man's return.
"Having a guy like Edwin Edogbo, who hasn't been around for a while, seeing him run around the park is really exciting for Munster and for Irish rugby, because I do believe his ceiling is incredibly high," he said.
"Just watching him train, his movement, he's got a very good feel for the game, for a lad that’s probably missed a lot of rugby.
"He gives you that physical size as well, which never goes short on a rugby pitch.
"He has an unbelievable ability for a big man to poach as well, so his close-in work, his feel for the game, he's a very smart player, he uses every bit that he has."
McMillan has made 10 changes to his starting team from last week's win against Cardiff, and has changed his entire backline for Friday night's game in Cork.
Among the changes, out-half Jack Crowley is rested, with JJ Hanrahan (above) returning from a concussion to start in the 10 jersey.
Ireland internationals Calvin Nash and Michael Milne both come into the starting team for their first games of the season, while Tom Farrell and Andrew Smith also get their first gametime of the campaign.
Milne is one of two changes in the front row, swapping in for Jeremy Loughman at loosehead, while Diarmuid Barron comes in at hooker with Niall Scannell out with a hand laceration, and Oli Jager continues at tighthead.
Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley start together for the third game in a row at lock.
Jack O'Donoghue comes in at blindside flanker with Tom Ahern dropping out, while Ruadhán Quinn and Gavin Coombes complete the back row.
Paddy Patterson starts at scrum-half, joining Hanrahan in a new half-back partnership, while McMillan has also changed his centres and his back three.
In the centre, Alex Nankivell is rested and Dan Kelly drops to the bench, with Farrell and Seán O'Brien the midfield partnership.
Nash starts on the right wing, with Smith on the left, as Thaakir Abrahams and Shane Daly drop out.
Mike Haley returns from a minor knock at full-back, replacing Ben O'Connor.
Former Munster out-half Ben Healy starts for the visitors, while ex-Connacht centre Piers O'Conor is also included.
Head Coach Sean Everitt makes two changes to the side that was named to face Ulster in last weekend's postponed fixture.
Openside flanker Dylan Richardson makes his debut and Sam Skinner starts at lock.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O'Brien, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Dan Kelly.
Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Piers O'Conor, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D’arcy Rae; Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner; Liam McConnell, Dylan Richardson, Magnus Bradbury (capt).
Replacements: Paddy Harrison, Boan Venter, Paul Hill, Glen Young, Freddy Douglas, Ben Muncaster, Charlie Shiel, Harry Paterson.
