Munster have announced that current squad captain Doug Howlett will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.

Munster head coach Rob Penneyn has made twelve changes to the starting XV that took on Leinster, for tomorrow night’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Dragons at Rodney Parade (7pm)

Munster forward David Kilcoyne has come a very long way in a very short space of time.

HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINAL

Felix Jones and James Downey return to the Munster starting XV for the first time since facing Racing Metro in mid January, for Sunday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso at Stadio di Monigo (3pm).

Munster will roll out a couple of heavyweights for their trip to Llanelli tonight.

Mike Sherry will captain Munster for the first time in tomorrow night’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Scarlets in Llanelli (6.30pm).

Ian Keatley will replace Ronan O’Gara at flyhalf in the only change Munster boss Rob Penney has made for Sunday's crucial meeting with Racing Metro at Thomond Park (12.45pm).

Rob Penney has opted to leave Ronan O’Gara on the bench for Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with league leaders Ulster in Thomond Park tomorrow (5.30) with Ian Keatley retaining the number 10 jersey.

Munster coach Rob Penney has made 10 changes from the starting team defeated by Saracens last week for tomorrow’s RaboDirect derby with Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway.

Saracens were last night facing a backlash from their own supporters for the club’s decision to drown out Munster’s travelling army of support with loud music during Sunday’s Heineken Cup encounter at Vicarage Road.

Saracens 19 Munster 13

The roar and soaring stands of Thomond Park, the aura of the city as a sporting bear-pit, the passionate and knowledgeable support from the fans.

Nothing can compare with the satisfaction felt by up-and-coming Irish prop Dave Kilcoyne following Ireland’s victory over Argentina last weekend.

Ian Keatley returns to the Munster fly-half berth tomorrow as the province eyes the chance to nick points off second-placed Scarlets as RaboDirect Pro12 action returns to Musgrave Park (5:15pm).

Munster head coach Rob Penney has made six changes to his starting XV for Sunday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Scarlets at Musgrave Park (5.15pm).

Munster pop Dave Kilcoyne is determined to make the most of his chance to impress on the international stage after being selected in Declan Kidney’s starting XV to take on Fiji in Saturday’s showdown at Thomond Park (5.30pm).

Munster emerged from their 33-0 Heineken Cup win over Edinburgh on Sunday without picking up any major fresh injury concerns.

Doug Howlett is confident Munster can bounce back from their opening day defeat to Racing Metro and qualify for the knockout phase of the Heineken Cup.

Munster coach Rob Penney will use the extra day before deciding on the line-up for Sunday’s must-win Heineken Cup game against Edinburgh at Thomond Park.

For the second year in-a-row, Leinster opened the defence of their crown against a side making their Heineken Cup debut.

Tackling one of the most expensively compiled sides in France without a third of your first choice team in the intimidating surrounds of the Stade de France in this afternoon’s opening game of the new Heineken Cup campaign may well seem a bridge too far for a Munster team in transition.

Munster head coach Rob Penney has received the best possible antidote to the province’s injury woes after Paul O’Connell declared himself fit to face Racing Metro at Stade de France tomorrow.

Having shown no ill effects from a full training session yesterday, Paul O'Connell has been named in Munster's starting XV for their opening Heineken Cup game against Racing Metro on Saturday in the Stade de France (1.35pm).

Munster’s prospects of victory in Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener against Racing Metro in Paris took a nosedive yesterday when Keith Earls and Wian du Preez were ruled out of the tie.

The spectre of European rugby looms large as ever as Leinster meet Munster for the first time this season but there is plenty of incentive in both camps for a positive outcome tonight to put right chastening recent RaboDirect Pro12 form.

Munster coach Rob Penney has made six changes from the side that started against Ospreys for tomorrow's RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Leinster in Dublin (6.30pm).

The Aviva Stadium is set to rock for the first time this season on Saturday night with the arrival of a new-look Munster side for the first of their seasonal encounters with Leinster in the RaboDirect Pro 12.

There hasn’t been much talk about it recently, but Munster are still embarrassed about the capitulation to the Ospreys in last season’s RaboDirect semi-final.

After a man-of-the-match performance at second-centre against the Dragons, Keith Earls will wear the number 13 jersey again on Saturday for Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with defending champions Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium (6.30pm).

Munster head coach Rob Penney has resisted the urge to start returning Test backs Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray and Keith Earls in tomorrow night’s RaboDirect Pro12 tussle with Ulster, having named the Ireland trio on the bench for the Ravenhill derby.

Dave Kilcoyne, BJ Botha and Donncha O’Callaghan represent the three changes Rob Penney has made for his side’s visit to Ravenhill on Friday for their RaboDirect PRO12 meeting with Ulster (7.05pm).

Stephen Archer and Dave O’Callaghan will start in place of BJ Botha and Paddy Butler as Rob Penney makes just two changes for Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso in Thomond Park Stadium on Friday (8pm).

Rob Penney has been able to name Ireland internationals Donncha O’Callaghan and Mike Sherry in his first competitive squad for Munster’s RaboDirect Pro12 opener at Edinburgh tomorrow night.

Donncha O'Callaghan and Mike Sherry have been named in Rob Penney’s first competitive 23 man squad for the visit to Murrayfield to take on Edinburgh in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Saturday (8pm).

Pre-season can be tough.

Munster got themselves up and running with this pre-season friendly victory over English second-tier opposition last night but for new head coach Rob Penney there was more than a hint of running before they have learned to walk as he tries to stamp his template on the province’s game.

Munster last night put the finishing touch to their squad for next season when the province agreed terms with highly-rated Blue Bulls and South Africa Under-20 flanker CJ Stander.

Tony McGahan is banking on youthful enthusiasm to help carry defending champions Munster through their RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final at Ospreys in Swansea tonight (7.35pm).

Fears that an injury to Keith Earls would be another long-term problem for Munster and Ireland were eased yesterday when he was given a place on the bench for his province at Thomond Park tonight.

Munster coach Tony McGahan has made two personnel changes from the side that started against Scarlets, for his final Thomond Park game against Ulster on Saturday night (7.30pm).

Paul O’Connell is back to boost Munster’s prospects of defeating Llanelli Scarlets in Wales tonight and keep his side ahead of the posse in the race for a RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final place.

Munster 35 Glasgow 29

Keith Earls has been included in Tony McGahan’s extended squad for the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Glasgow Warriors in Musgrave Park on Saturday (7.15pm).