TADHG Beirne will make his 100th appearance for Munster in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup must-win clash with Castres at Thomond Park, 5.30pm.
Beirne (34) joined Munster in autumn 2017 having previously been with Leinster and Scarletts.
In a significant boost, Craig Casey has recovered from a shoulder issue and is included in the team.
There are three changes to the side that were narrowly beaten in Toulon at the weekend as Thaakir Abrahams, Niall Scannell and Jean Kleyn all come into the starting XV.
Shane Daly, Abrahams and Academy man Ben O’Connor start in the back three with Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell continuing their centre partnership.
Casey starts in the half-backs with Jack Crowley.
Jeremy Loughman, Scannell and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row with Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.
An unchanged back row of Beirne, Jack O’Donoghue and Gavin Coombes completes the side,
Unavailable through injury are Alex Kendellen (ankle), John Hodnett (thumb), Seán O’Brien (shoulder),Tom Ahern (neck) and Calvin Nash (head/shoulder).
None of the quintet are long-term injury concerns.
Munster: Shane Daly; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne, captain, Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.