Dowling to start against Clermont-Auvergne

Ian Dowling will come in for Anthony Horgan as the only frontline change for Munster at home to Clermont-Auvergne in the Heineken Cup at Thomond Park on Sunday.

Garryowen scrum-half Gerry Hurley has been named on the bench as Tomas O'Leary is recovering from pneumonia.

Thankfully, John Hayes has been cleared from a neck injury to take his part in the front row.

Other than that, coach Declan Kidney will go with the same players that served him so well with Ronan O'Gara leading the side again in the absence of Paul O'Connell.

MUNSTER (v Clermont-Auvergne): S Payne; B Carney, R Tipoki, L Mafi, I Dolwing; R O'Gara (capt), P Stringer; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy.

Replacements: F Sheahan, T Buckley, A Foley, J Paringatai; G Hurley, P Warwick, K Lewis.