Tony McGahan is taking no chances in naming a 27-strong squad for Munster's opening Heineken Cup game against Northampton Saints in Franklins Gardens on Saturday.

PAUL O’CONNELL will lead Munster for the first time this season in Saturday’s eagerly-awaited Magners League clash with Leinster at the RDS.

THE boys are back in town — or most of them anyway.

Jean de Villiers will play in the Munster jersey for the first time following his inclusion in the squad for Sunday’s Magner’s League tie against The Dragons at Musgrave Park.

TOMÁS O’LEARY admitted on Saturday night that he is “a stronger player and person” after he returned from the horror injury which destroyed his Lions dream.

Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary will make his return to the Munster jersey against The Scarlets in the Magner's League at Parc Y Scarlets tomorrow.

SIMON EASTERBY returns to the Llanelli Scarlets team for tomorrow’s Magners League clash with Munster (Parc Y Scarlets, 6.30pm).

Veteran Irish international Alan Quinlan and John Hayes will make their seasonal debuts for Munster against Cardiff Blues in the Magners League at Thomond Park Stadium tomorrow (kick off: 7.05pm).

JOHN HAYES and Alan Quinlan are both included in a 25-strong squad from which the Munster team to take on Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park on Friday (7.05, Setanta Sports) will be finalised tomorrow.

Glasgow 22 Munster 9

PAUL WARWICK has been ruled out of tonight’s opening Magners League clash against Glasgow Warriors at Firhill but Munster, captained by Mick O’Driscoll yet again, welcome back high-flyers Doug Howlett and Lifeimi Mafi for the big game.

Jeremy Manning, Doug Howlett and Lifeimi Mafi will bring a New Zealand flavour to Munster for the opening weekend of the Magner's League against Glasgow Warriors in Firhill tomorrow evening (8pm).

Ireland prop Marcus Horan and Ireland A lock Donnacha Ryan will make their first appearances of the season for Munster against Leicester Tigers in a pre-season friendly at Welford Road on Friday evening (7.30 pm).

TWO games into the new season and Munster coach Tony McGahan has every reason to be pleased with progress. For the second week in succession, Munster overcame more experienced English Premiership opposition, in front of more than 7,000 fans who came to enjoy a highly competitive match on a rare sunny summer evening at Musgrave Park.

MUNSTER team manager Shaun Payne is looking to the future, starting at Musgrave Park tonight (7pm) when the reigning Magners League champions take on London Irish.

Munster coach Tony McGahan will give Denis Hurley, Niall Ronan, Tony Buckley and Denis Leamy their first starts of the season in a friendly against London Irish at Musgrave Park on Friday (7pm).

JEAN DE VILLIERS claims he is looking forward to making himself part of the Munster ‘family’, citing the province’s tradition as a powerful motivating factor in his decision to join.

Munster 19 Sale Sharks 17

IN THE enforced absence of Ireland’s Lions and Churchill Cup internationals, Munster will be giving youth its fling in tonight’s friendly against Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park (7pm).