Blaney to start for Munster

Hooker James Blaney will make his first start of the season in a Munster side that shows five changes in personnel for the visit of The Gwent Dragons to Musgrave Park on Saturday evening.

Number eight and captain Jim Williams, centre Rob Henderson, wing Anthony Horgan and second row Tom Bowman will help to reverse Munster's poor record in Musgrave. They have lost their last three there.

MUNSTER (v The Dragons): C Cullen; M Lawlor, S Payne, R Henderson, A Horgan; P Burke, M Prendergast; F Roche, J Blaney, G McIlwham, T Hogan, T Bowman, D Leamy, D Wallace, J Williams (capt).

Replacements: M Storey, D Fogarty, T Hayes, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Holland, M Mullins/M McPhail.

Newport-Gwent Dragons: Kevin Morgan; G Wyatt, N Brew, S Tuipulotu, B Breeze; C Warlow, G Baber; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony, I Gough, P Sidoli, J Ringer, J Forster (capt), R Bryant.

Replaceemnts: K Crawford A Black, R Thomas, R Oakley S Winn, J Bryant, J Ireland.