Pucciariello to start for Munster on Friday night

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan decision to call up Tony Buckley for the ill Simon Best has led to the last minute promotion of Federico Pucciariello onto Munster's tight-head side of the scrum for tomorrow's clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Munster coach Kidney said: "Obviously, we are delighted for Tony. It's a great honour for him and he travels with the best wishes of everyone in the squad."

Lifeimi Mafi has been preferred to Rua Tipoki in the centre: "Rua (Tipoki) played very well last week, Lifeimi also did well in the friendlies. In the two of them we are fortunate to have two great players who can either start or come off the bench as impact replacement," said Kidney

MUNSTER (v Dragons):

S Payne; I Dowling, K Lewis, L Mafi, A Horgan; P Warwick, T O'Leary; Darragh Hurley, D Fogarty, F Pucciariello; M Melbourne, M O'Driscoll; B Holland, N Ronan, A Foley (capt).

Replacements: S Cronin, T Ryan, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan, G Hurley, J Manning, R Tipoki.