McGahan drops De Villiers for Perpignan encounter
Munster coach Tony McGahan has made the shock decision to jettison Jean de Villiers for the Heineken Cup tie at home to Perpignan on Friday evening.
Keith Earls comes into the centre with Lifeimi Mafi allowing Denis Hurley onto the left wing.
Denis Fogarty will hold down the hooker’s slot ahead of the not quite 100% Jerry Flannery.
Meanwhile Henry Tuilagi has been ruled out of the Perpignan side.
They are also short of the injured wing Julien Candelon (heel) and back-row Guillame Vilaceca who has suffered a serious and possibly season-ending shoulder injury.
Wing Farid Sid, who was in great form earlier in the season, returns to the team and starts on the right wing.
MUNSTER (v Perpignan):
15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Darragh Hurley, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Mick O'Driscoll, 20 Donnacha Ryan, 21 Niall Ronan, 22 Peter Stringer, 23 Jean de Villiers.
PERPIGNAN (v Munster):
15 Jérôme Porical, 14 Farid Sid, 13 David Marty, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Christophe Manas, 10 Gavin Hume, 9 Nicolas Durand, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Bertrand Guiry, 6 Yoann Vivalda, 5 Robins Tchale Watchou, 4 Olivier Olibeau, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Perry Freshwater.
Replacements: 16 Marius Tincu, 17 Jérôme Schuster, 18 Kisi Pulu, 19 Charles Geli, 20 David Mele, 21 Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, 22 Philip Burger.
