Munster v Leinster: Teams

Leinster have announced a strong line-up for their top-of-the-table clash with rivals Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Full-back Rob Kearney and number eight Jamie Heaslip return to the XV with Isa Nacewa switching to the right wing and Shane Horgan partnering Gordon D'Arcy at centre as Brian O'Driscoll sits out.

Rocky Elsom starts on the flank alongside Shane Jennings with coach Michael Cheika looking to overtake Munster at the summit.

Munster change

Meanwhile, the hosts welcome back Ian Dowling to their starting XV for the first time since the game against Montauban in January.

The tireless winger subsequently injured a hamstring in training and according to Munster fitness staff makes it back into the side thanks to his 'superb application in his rehab of the injury'.

He comes into the line-up at the immediate expense of Barry Murphy who played in the game against Glasgow but now slips to the bench while Paul Warwick is named at full-back with Denis Hurley listed among the replacements.

Up front there is a complete change in the front five with the return of the internationals but in the back row, Alan Quinlan and Niall Ronan, both superb in the win over Glasgow, retain their places with David Wallace anchoring the scrum in the absence of the injured Denis Leamy.

"You always look forward to these type of games, against the other Irish sides, local derbies if you like that have a unique atmosphere and this one probably caps 'em all," said flanker Quinlan.

"I know they (Leinster) will be looking to make up for us beating them earlier but even still games against them are as tough as anything we play during the season.

"I think it's going to be a great occasion. I hope the weather stays the way it is and if it does I think people are going to see a cracking game of rugby played by two good sides."

Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifiemi Mafi, 11 Ian Dowling, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 David Wallace, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell (capt), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.

Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Donncha Ryan, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Barry Murphy, 22 Denis Hurley.

Leinster: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Isa Nacewa, 13 Gordon D'Arcy, 12 Shane Horgan, 11 Rob Kearney, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Chris Whitaker, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Stan Wright, 2 Bernard Jackman, 1 Cian Healy.

Replacements (from): John Fogarty, Ollie le Roux, Ronan McCormack, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Sean O'Brien, Chris Keane, Jonathan Sexton, Simon Keogh.