Unsurprisingly, four of six changes to the Munster starting XV to face Leinster in Saturday night's RaboDirect PRO12 encounter in Thomond Park (KO: 7.30pm) are caused by the return of internationals who had been missing from the squad on Six Nations duty.

Connacht 16 Munster 20

On the day that Mick O'Driscoll makes his 200th appearance for Munster, Save Tokula will make his first, in the side that takes on Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade tomorrow (6.30pm).

Fullback Felix Jones has been named in a Munster match day squad for the first time since sustaining a foot injury in an international against France last August.

Felix Jones, Mike Sherry and Tommy O'Donnell have all been included in the 28-strong Munster squad that will travel to Italy in the morning for the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso on Saturday.

Munster make just one change in personnel to their starting XV, from the one that started against Castres Olympique, for tomorrow's Heineken Cup clash with Northampton Saints (6pm).

Tony McGahan has named a 28-strong squad for Munster’s final pool match against Northampton Saints that will be played in the stadium:mk Milton Keynes on Saturday (6pm).

Just three of those who started against Connacht last weekend remain in the Munster side for the trip to Belfast and the RaboDirect PRO12 encounter with Ulster in Ravenhill tomorrow evening (6.45pm).

Munster have named a 31-strong squad for the trip to Belfast and the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Ulster on Friday evening.

A start for John Hayes in his last Munster game represents one of 11 changes to Tony McGahan’s starting XV from last weekend for the St. Stephen’s Day RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Connacht in Thomond Park.

Keith Earls has been included in the 29-strong Munster squad named today for the Heineken Cup Round 4 game against the Scarlets at Thomond Park Stadium on Sunday (KO 12.45).

It is a question of almost same again for Munster as they name a similar squad as last week, with the notable exception of Doug Howlett, for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Scarlets in Llanelli (3.40pm).

Munster coach Tony McGahan gives a host of his younger players the opportunity to make an impression in the RaboDirect PRO12 game with Edinburgh in Thomond Park tomorrow (KO 8.30pm).

Tony McGahan has made eight changes for the visit of the Ospreys to Thomond Park on Saturday night (7.30pm) for the last game in the opening phase of the RaboDirect PRO12 League.

The Munster starting XV for Friday's clash with Edinburgh in Murrayfield, shows 10 changes from the one that ran out against Cardiff Blues last weekend.

Danny Barnes returns to the Munster side for the RaboDirect PRO12 game against Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow night (7.05pm).

Munster 35 Scarlets 12

Tomas O’Leary and John Hayes will have to settle for a place on the substitute’s bench for Munster’s opening RaboDirectPRO12 match against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park on Saturday night.

With several players unavailable due to international commitment, Munster coach Tony McGahan has picked a youthful Munster side to play La Rochelle in the Stade Marcel Deflandre tonight.

The Ireland squad that will take part in the first preseason camp in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in September has been named today.

From Peppa Pig to books on psychology, Munster’s James Coughlan explains to Michael Moynihan the importance of downtime between high intensity matches

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a 25-man squad for Saturday’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Brive at the Stade Municipal, kick-off 2.00pm.

Munster rugby have announced today that four more players have agreed new contract terms.

Denis Leamy and Peter Stringer have been included in an enlarged Munster squad for Saturday's Magners League clash with Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park, kick-off 7.30pm.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has bolstered his squad ahead of Sunday’s clash with Scotland by calling up eight players.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has made 11 changes from the side that lost in Treviso last weekend for tomorrow night’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh at Thomond Park Stadium, kick-of 7.50pm.

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe has been ruled out of contention for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

Connacht out half Ian Keatley has been called up to the 22-man Ireland Wolfounds squad to play the England Saxons in Ravenhill on Friday.

Declan Kidney has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Ireland’s opening RBS 6 Nations Championship match with Italy next Saturday.

THE faithful filing out of Thomond Park on Saturday night were not exactly humming “Happy Days Are Here Again” but the gloom hanging over Munster rugby of late has been at least partially lifted.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has made several changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s Heineken Cup dead rubber against London Irish at Thomond Park, kick-off 3.30pm.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has made nine changes from to the side that started against Ulster last weekend for Saturday's Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

Jerry Flannery has returned to the Munster squad ahead of tomorrow’s Magners League meeting with Ulster in Thomond Park. (kick-off 7.30pm)

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named the same starting line-up that faced South Africa in the 2010 Guinness Series two weeks ago; the only change to the side is Tom Court who is named at tight-head prop in place of the injured Tony Buckley.

Declan Kidney has named his strongest possible side for Saturday’s eagerly anticipated test with South Africa at the Aviva Stadium (kick off 5:30pm).

The versatile Johne Murphy will plug the hole left in Munster’s midfield by suspensions to Sam Tuitupou and Lifeimi Mafi for the sold out Heineken Cup clash with Toulon at Thomond Park Stadium tomorrow (3.30pm).

MUNSTER 15 GLOUCESTER 10

Former Leicester Tiger Johne Murphy is set to make his debut for Munster on Friday night as the Reds take on old foes Gloucester at Musgrave Park (KO 7pm).

New Zealand 66 Ireland 28

Rory Best and Paul O'Connell have both been ruled out of the Ireland summer tour to New Zealand and Australia due to injury.

An Ireland squad of 33 players was today announced for the 2010 summer tour to New Zealand and Australia, with Munster talisman Paul O'Connell included.

All Black Doug Howlett and Ireland’s Keith Earls, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes and Mick O'Driscoll return for Munster against Leinster for the Magners League semi-final at the RDS on Saturday (8pm).

Paul O’Connell has lost his battle with injury to miss out on the Munster 26-man squad for the Heineken Cup Semi Final against Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday.

Paul O’Connell is not included in the Munster squad to play The Ospreys in Saturday's Magner’s League tie at Thomond Park (kick-off 6.30pm).