Munster welcome back internationals for Glasgow clash

Munster boss Rob Penney has recalled his international big guns following the conclusion of Ireland's autumn internationals for Saturday's game at home to Glasgow Warriors

Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Ronan O'Gara, Donncha O'Callaghan, Donncha Ryan and Dave Kilcoyne have all returned to the starting XV for the RaboDirect PRO12 game with the Warriors at Thomond Park (7.45pm).

More good news for the province comes in the shape of James Coughlan who returns to the fray a week ahead of the Heineken Cup Round 3 game with Saracens following a lengthy lay off.

Earls’ return sees Casey Laulala drop to the bench while Duncan Williams starts ahead of Conor Murray who is nursing a minor knee injury.

Back rower CJ Stander makes his first start, following his debut off the bench in last Sunday’s defeat to the Scarlets at Musgrave Park.

As things stand Munster sit in fifth place in the table ahead of this weekend games but by the time Doug Howlett leads them out at Thomond Park Stadium they could have slipped to sixth if Ospreys beat the Blues earlier in the afternoon at the Liberty.

Munster (v Glasgow Warriors): F Jones; D Howlett capt, K Earls, J Downey, S Zebo; R O’Gara, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, D Ryan; CJ Stander, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan.

Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, B Holland, P Butler, P Stringer, I Keatley, C Laulala.