O’Leary in for Munster, O’Connell on bench

Tomás O’Leary will partner Ronan O’Gara at half-back for Munster’s Heineken Cup game with the Ospreys at Thomond Parks on Sunday. (kick-off 1pm)

Paul O’Connell, who is severely short on game time, is named on the replacements with Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll continuing in the second row while veteran blindside Alan Quinlan also misses out on a starting sport as James Coughlan, David Wallace and Denis Leamy take the backrow slots.

Keith Earls links up with Sam Tuitupou in the centre with Lifeimi Mafi handed the bench spot while Tony Buckley continues at tight-head ahead of John Hayes.

Paul Warwick takes his familiar fullback spot and is joined by Doug Howell and ex-Leicester Tigers winger Johne Murphy in the three-quarter line.

Meanwhile, Ospreys coach Sean Holley has named a strong looking side for the trip to Limerick.

The Welsh region are awaiting the result of an appeal, expected this evening, as to whether a two-week ban on Marty Holah may be overturned. If the fomer All Black is not acquitted than young flanker Justin Tipuric will take his place at openside.

Barry Davies is named at fullback in the absence of the injured Lee Byrne while Tommy Bowe takes his familiar wing spot.

Munster (v Ospreys): Warwick; Howlett, Earls, Tuitupou, Murphy; O’Gara, O’Leary; du Preez, Varley, Buckley; O’Callaghan, O’Driscoll; Coughlan, Wallace, Leamy (C).

Replacements: M Sherry, D Hurley, J Hayes, P O’Connell, A Quinlan, P Stringer, L Mafi, D Hurley.

Ospreys (v Munster): B Davies, T Bowe, A Bishop, J Hook, R Fussell; D Biggar, M Phillips; P James, R Hibbard, A Jones, R Jones, A Wyn Jones (C), J Collins, M Holah/J Tipuric, J Thomas

Replacements: M Davies, D Jones, C Mitchell, I Gough, J Tipuric/T Smith, J Nutbrown, S Parker, N Walker