Conor Murray has been left out of Munster's squad for tomorrow's Thomond Park clash with Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup (3.15pm).
Murray 33, was under pressure to hold onto a squad place from Craig Casey and Paddy Patterson, and Reds boss Graham Rowntree has decided to go with the high-tempo scrum-halves for this third pool game.
With an away tie in Toulouse to come next week in the final round of pool fixtures, the province want to get their last 16 qualification nailed down on home ground in Limerick and Casey has got the nod to start, with the in-form Patterson edging the vastly experienced European and Test campaigner Murray for a bench spot.
READ MORE: Jack O'Donoghue says Munster have learned to 'cop on' if Saints come on heavy
The selection decision is a blow for Murray, who hopes to play in a fourth Rugby World Cup this year. Ireland boss Andy Farrell is likely to keep faith with the Limerick man for the upcoming Six Nations, given his experience.
However Murray had lost his starting spot to Jamison Gibson-Park since the Nations Cup in November 2011.
Rowntree has made nine personnel changes and one positional switch from last week's URC victory over the Lions, with prop Roman Salanoa making his first Champions Cup start - John Ryan, who departs for New Zealand at the end of the month, is named as cover - and Peter O'Mahony captaining the side.
Joey Carbery is named at no 10 with Jack Crowley partnering Antoine Frisch again at centre. Gavin Coombes moves from the second row to the back row.
Earlier tomorrow, Leinster face Gloucester at Kingsholm (1pm) and, in the absence of Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose will skipper the side as they look to maintain their 100% winning record this season.
Hugo Keenan earns his 50th cap for the province while Cian Healy's introduction off the bench will mark his 100th appearance in Europe - only the second Leinster player to achieve the feat after Gordon D'Arcy, and the fifth overall.
Jordan Larmour has been named on the wing after his recent strong form but there is no place in the squad for James Lowe.
Ringrose is again partnered by Jamie Osborne, with Robbie Henshaw and Charles Ngatai both injured, while Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park will marshall the attack as the half-back partnership.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Michael Ala’alatoa form the front row.
Ross Molony and James Ryan are paired together in the second row, with Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris completing the pack.
Michael Milne, Brian Deeny and Liam Turner could all make their European debuts off the bench for the Blues.
Also on Saturday, out of sorts Ulster need a massive performance to turn their season around against reigning champions La Rochelle at Stade Marcel Deflandre (5.30pm).
The stage is set for the return of Ireland international Ian Madigan, who has recovered from injury and lines out at no 10 ahead of Billy Burns. The Dubliner will be partnered by scrum-half Nathan Doak.
Dan McFarland has made eight changes from last week's loss to Benetton in the URC.
Rob Lyttle comes in on the right wing, with Luke Marshall also returning at centre alongside Stewart Moore.
Skipper Iain Henderson is once again named at blindside flanker in a quality back row that also includes Nick Timoney and Duane Vermeulen.
Scottish international Rory Sutherland is back in the side as loosehead prop and Harry Sheridan amd Michael McDonald are set to make their Ulster debuts off the bench against Ronan O'Gara's formidable outfit.
Munster : Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Jack Crowley, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony (C), Gavin Coombes.
Munster Replacements : Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell, Liam Coombes.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (C), Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O'Brien; Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Michael Ala'alatoa; Ross Molony, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Leinster Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Jack Conan,. Nick McCarthy, Harry Byrne, Liam Turner.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Rob Lyttle, Stewart Moore, Luke Marshall, Jacob Stockdale; Ian Madigan, Nathan Doak; Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Jeff Toomaga-Allen; Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell; Iain Henderson (C), Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Ulster Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Andy Warwick, Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Michael McDonald, Billy Burns, Ethan McIlroy.
READ NEXT:
Former Irish soccer player Robbie Horgan 'hours from death' after being 'too stubborn' to go to A&E
Denis Leamy on his 'Hail Mary' against the Saints when they last played Munster at Thomond Park
Ruby Walsh backs Jack Kennedy to still challenge for jockeys' title after leg break
FA launch spot-fixing investigation after Arsenal match vs Oxford
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alert
Body*
