Murphy returns to Munster after injury

Munster centre Barry Murphy has been included in a Munster Squad for the first time since a serious injury against Ulster last season for the Magner’s League date with Leinster at Lansdowne Road on Friday night.

Fellow backs Ian Dowling and Shaun Payne are also fit for the glamorous clash with Leinster. Alas, Christian Cullen will have to have a second scan on an injury and Anthony Horgan has damaged a cartilage.

It looks as though Munster will be forced, more than ever, to demoralise Leinster up front in the tight and out of touch to make the presence of Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy & co nothing more than a sideline show.

Munster squad (v Leinster): J Kelly, S Payne, I Dowling, T Halstead, R O'Gara, P Stringer, T O'Leary, B Murphy, J Manning, B O'Meara, E Hickey, M Horan, A Kyriacou, F Pucciariello, F Roche, F Sheahan, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt), A Quinlan, D Wallace, A Foley, T McGann, T Ryan, M O'Driscoll.