O'Gara to start for Munster

Ireland's Ronan O'Gara, Keith Earls and Donncha O'Callaghan and Auckland import Nick Williams will start for Munster for the first time this season in Sunday's sold-out Musgrave Park Magners League clash with the Dragons (5.05pm).

Coach Tony McGahan has decided to hold new signing Jean de Villiers in reserve on the bench. Captain Paul O'Connell is not included due to a hamstring issue.

In addition, Tommy O'Donnell gets his chance on the openside because of injury to Niall Ronan. The presence of Alan Quinlan should give the back row a good balance.

MUNSTER (v The Dragons): Keith Earls; Felix Jones, Barry Murphy, Lifeimi Mafi, Denis Hurley; Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary; Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll, Donncha O'Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, Tommy O'Donnell, Nick Williams.

Replacements: Damian Varley, Julien Brugnaut, Donnacha Ryan, James Coughlan, Toby Morland, Jeremy Manning, Jean de Villiers.