Jerry Flannery will make his competitive debut for Munster after being named in their starting line up for Friday's Celtic League clash with Llanelli Scarlets in Thomond Park (7.30p.m.).
Flannery returned to his native province this season along with Eoin Reddan and Martin McPhail, having spent two years in Connacht. Reddan also makes the starting XV with Martin McPhail named on the bench.
Trevor Hogan, who made his Celtic League debut this time last year in the game against Swansea (Musgrave), will partner Eddie Halvey in the second row with Munster fielding a particularly strong back row of Jim Williams, David Wallace and Denis Leamy.
In the backs, Reddan will be partnered by Killian Keane who proved himself when he came on as a first half replacement for Jason Holland against Leinster, while Jeremy Staunton, scorer of all his side's points in that game, continues at full-back.
Earlier today Connacht coach Michael Bradley made no changes to the side who defeated Edinburgh 11-3 last weekend ahead of their Celtic League clash with Cardiff on Saturday.
Called into the replacements, in the absence of the injured Dan McFarland, is Fabian Boiroux.
Connacht will be searching for their third successive victory over Cardiff having narrowly won their previous two meetings.
Unlike Connacht, Cardiff lost their opening game of the Celtic League, when they were beaten 23-13 by Glasgow on Friday last.
Munster Team to Face Llanelli:
Jeremy Staunton, Mossie Lawlor, Mike Mullins, Jason Jones-Hughes, Shaun Payne, Killian Keane, Eoin Reddan, Simon Kerr, Jerry Flannery, Martin Cahill, Trevor Hogan, Eddie Halvey, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Jim Williams (capt).
Replacements:Martin McPhail, Colm McMahon, Frank Murphy, Stephen Keogh, Donal Sheahan, Andy Long, Jody Danaher.
Llanelli Team:
15. Barry Davies 14. Tal Selley 13. Matthew J Watkins 12. Leigh Davies (capt) 11. Richard Rees 10. Gareth Bowen 9. Mike Phillips 1. David Maddocks 2. Aled Gravelle 3. John Davies 4. Adam Jones 5. Chris Wyatt 6. Emyr Lewis 7. Ian Boobyer 8. Scott Quinnell Replacements:16. Nathan Williams 17. Rhys Williams 18. Bryn Griffiths 19. Vernon Cooper 20. Dale Burn 21. Ceiron Thomas 22. Gavin Evans.
Connacht Team:
15: Mark McHugh, 14: Conor McPhillips, 13: Darren Yapp, 12: Tim Allnutt (capt.), 11. Wayne Munn, 10: Eric Elwood, 9. Chris Keane, 1: Warren O'Kelly, 2: Bernard Jackman, 3: Adrian Clarke, 4: Damian Browne, 5: Andrew Farley, 6. Michael Swift, 7: John O'Sullivan, 8: Matt Lacey,
Replacements:16: John Fogarty, 17: Fabian Boiroux, 18: Mike McCarthy, 19: Mick Carroll, 20: Conor O'Loughlin, 21: David Hewitt, 22: Ted Robinson,