Leinster v Munster: Teams

Lions and Ireland star centre Brian O'Driscoll will make his first appearance of the season for Leinsters clash with Munster.

O'Driscoll, whose Lions tour was again cut short by injury, will partner Gordon D'Arcy in midfield.

Isa Nacewa is named at full-back, with Ireland duo Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Horgan starting on the wings.

Shane Jennings also returns to the pack, while there is an Ireland international quartet on the bench in the shape of Bernard Jackman, Rob Kearney, Malcolm O'Kelly and Mike Ross.

Lions skipper Paul O'Connell has recovered from a hamstring injury to start on the bench for Munster.

"It's fine now, not a problem. I have to manage it that's all, that's why the ice, and that's why I didn't play last week," said O'Connell.

"I won't play a full game on Saturday because it's my first game back rather than anything else really.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the field. This game comes as the ideal preparation both for myself and the squad ahead of the European games coming up. Really looking forward to it."

Keith Earls, Ian Dowling, Jerry Flannery and David Wallace also make their first appearances of the season, while Paul Warwick returns after injuring a foot in the pre-season game against Leicester Tigers.

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Stan Wright, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Malcolm O'Kelly, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Simon Keogh, 21 Fergus McFadden, 22 Rob Kearney.

Munster: 15 Keith Earls, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O'Gara (capt), 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Denis Leamy, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Paul O'Connell, 19 David Wallace, 20 Paul Warwick, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Ian Dowling.