Munster v Connacht: Teams

O'Leary: Playing for the first time since January

Tomas O'Leary returns to the Munster side for the first time since January for Friday's Magners League match against Connacht.

The scrum-half will partner Ronan O'Gara who is just one of four players retained in the starting XV from last weekend, the others being full-back Felix Jones, wing Doug Howlett and Denis Leamy who this time around starts at number eight.

Alan Quinlan is also included in the starting XV.

Elsewhere, Danny Barnes will partner Johne Murphy in the centre while Simon Zebo takes over from Keith Earls on the wing.

Speaking on Tuesday, O'Gara described his side's Amlin Challenge Cup defeat to Harlequins as "unacceptable".

"It was disappointing to play like that especially in front of our own supporters who turned up in huge number," he said.

"We pride oursleves on giving them value for their loyalty and last weekend we failed. Simple as that. We have to hold our hands up, take responsibility. And we will.

"All we can do now is try and regain some of the ground we've lost when we get the opportunity and that opportunity presents itself on Friday."

Meanwhile, Connacht will look to bounce back from their narrow defeat at the hands of Ulster at Ravenhill two weeks ago.

Eric Elwood's side has a blend of youth and experience, with Johnny O'Connor, Brett Wilkinson John Muldoon, Gavin Duffy and Mike McCarthy complimenting Academy Graduates such as Dave Nolan, Eoin Griffin and Tiernan O'Halloran.

Frank Murphy starts at scrum-half and is joined at fly-half by Ian Keatley.

Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Johne Murphy, 12 Danny Barnes, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell (c,)4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 S Archer, 19 IanNagle, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Paul Warwick, 23 Deni Hurley.

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Miah Nikora, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 John Muldoon, 7 Johnny O'Connor (C), 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Dylan Rogers, 19 Dave Nolan, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Troy Nathan, 22 Tiernan O'Halloran.