McGahan names squad for Heineken Cup clash

Munster will begin their quest to retain the Heineken Cup at home to Montauban at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Coach Tony McGahan has selected his 22-man squad to be captained by Paul O'Connell. Tomas O'Leary is out of the equation with injury, leaving Peter Stringer and Mike Prendergast to contest the number nine jersey.

Donnacha Ryan has been preferred to Mick O'Driscoll as back row back-up for his natural versitility at number six and in the second row.

MUNSTER SQUAD (v Montauban): K Earls, D Howlett, L Mafi, B Murphy, I Dowling, R Tipoki, R O'Gara, P Warwick, P Stringer, M Prendergast, M Horan, F Pucciariello, J Flannery, D Fogarty J Hayes, P O'Connell (capt), D Ryan, D O'Callaghan, A Quinlan, J O'Sullivan, J Melck, D Wallace.