O'Gara to captain Munster against Connacht

Ronan O’Gara will captain Munster for their St Stephen's Day Magners League clash with Connacht at Thomond Park Stadium.

Nine of the side that recorded that victory in the Stade Aime Giral are absent as is Denis Leamy who suffered an ankle injury in the last play of the game and is ruled out for at least four months.

However, the man who pulled the strings, O'Gara, leads the side on Saturday. Two of the try-scorers, Denis Hurley and Jean de Villiers, are also included in the starting line-up while man of the Match Paul Warwick can be called on from the bench should the need arise.

Ireland A international Felix Jones gets a run at full-back and Ian Dowling replaces Doug Howlett on the left wing.

MUNSTER (v Connacht):

Felix Jones; Denis Hurley, Tom Gleeson, Jean de Villiers, Ian Dowling; Ronan O'Gara capt, Peter Stringer; Julien Brugnaut, Damian Varley, Tony Buckley; Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan; Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Niall Ronan.

Replacements: Mike Sherry, Wian du Preez, James Coughlan, Tommy O'Donnell, Duncan Williams, Paul Warwick, Scott Deasy.