O'Connell named on bench for Munster
Munster lock Paul O'Connell is named on the bench for tomorrow night's Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park Stadium.
Denis Leamy will captain the side from number eight alongside Alan Quinlan and Niall Ronan in the backrow with David Wallace named as a replacement.
Paul Warwick, who has been in sublime form in recent weeks, misses out on selection as Ronan O’Gara takes the out-half slot and Johne Murphy is named at full-back.
Keith Earls links up with Sam Tuitupou in midfield with Lifeimi Mafi moving to the right wing.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young has selected a near full strength side for the match in Limerick.
Tom Shanklin, Dan Parks, Richie Rees, Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins return from international duty to take their places in the match day squad.
Former All Blacks Casey Laulala and Xavier Rush provide further firepower for the Welsh region.
Pitch conditions in Thomond Park remain a concern given the weather conditions but officials are still confident that the game will go ahead as planned with the earlier kick-off time of 5pm.
J Murphy; L Mafi, K Earls, S Tuitupou, D Hurley; R O'Gara, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy captain.
Replacements: M Sherry, D Ryan, J Hayes, P O’Connell, D Wallace, T O’Leary, P Warwick, B Murphy
: Chris Czekaj; Richard Mustoe, Casey Laulala, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Evans; Dan Parks, Richie Rees; Xavier Rush, Sam Warburton, Mamma Molitika, Paul Tito, Michael Patersonl; Taufa'ao Filse, Gareth Williams, Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: Rhys Williams, Tom Davies, Sam Hobbs, Bryn Griffiths, Ben White, Tom Slater, Ceri Sweeney, Dafydd Hewitt
