Fives, Mahony and O'Sullivan played for the Deise's Under-21s in their Championship loss to Tipperary last week along with Noel Connors and Maurice Shanahan, who will start at corner back and wing forward respectively this weekend.

Veteran defender Tony Browne, who turns 38 next month, is included at wing back, with 2010 All-Star John Mullane stationed at top of the right.

Eoin Kelly, Waterford's regular free-taker over the past number of years, has been omitted from the team. It had been speculated recently that the former All-Star forward was considering his inter-county future, but Davy Fitzgerald will have him on board for the summer campaign.

Meanwhile, Limerick will field three Championship newcomers in their side as attackers Richie McCarthy, Sean Tobin and Kevin Downes receive call-ups.

Seamus Hickey has shaken off an ankle injury to fill the full-back position, with Brian Geary listed at centre-back. Midfielder Paul Browne damaged ankle ligaments whilst playing for his club Bruff last month, but is fit to start Donal O'Grady's first Championship match in charge of the Shannonsiders.

Young forward Declan Hannon, who impressed during Limerick's Division 2 title-winning run, is absent as he is currently undertaking the Leaving Cert, while a hamstring injury has sidelined dual player Stephen Lucey.

In all, O'Grady has made 13 changes to the Justin McCarthy-managed Limerick team that lost to Cork in last year's Munster semi-final - Paul Browne and corner forward Graeme Mulcahy are the only survivors.

WATERFORD (SHC v Limerick): Clinton Hennessy; Darragh Fives, Wayne Hutchinson, Noel Connors; Tony Browne, Michael 'Brick' Walsh, Kevin Moran; Shane O'Sullivan, Richie Foley; Paraic Mahony, Stephen Molumphy (capt), Maurice Shanahan; John Mullane, Shane Walsh, Brian O'Sullivan.

LIMERICK: Nicky Quaid; Damien Reale, Seamus Hickey, Tom Condon; Wayne McNamara, Brian Geary, Gavin O'Mahony (capt); Donal O'Grady, Paul Browne; James Ryan, Richie McCarthy, Niall Moran; Sean Tobin, Kevin Downes, Graeme Mulcahy.