Magners League:Ahead of the European Cup semi-final against Leinster, Munster coach Tony McGahan has taken the opportunity to rest some key players for the meeting with a very different proposition in the shape of the Magners League's bottom side Connacht, though his team still has a formidable look to it.

Connacht, who will test out a new centre pairing in Troy Nathan and Niva Ta'auso at Thomond Park tomorrow, will not have to contend with Ronan O’Gara, Paul O’Connell, Tomás O’Leary and Lifiemi Mafi.

The alternative is not much better, with Paul Warwick moving to outhalf, Peter Stringer partnering him and a central partnership of Keith Earls and Barry Murphy.

Denis Hurley stands in for Warwick at fullback, with Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling on the wings.

That said, Munster’s secondrow will not boast Ireland internationals O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan and will instead be manned by captain for the day Mick O’Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan.

If Andrew Browne proves his fitness to join fellow lock Andrew Farley on the pitch, Connacht will target the league leaders’ set-piece at lineout time.

As it stands, Nathan’s inclusion ahead of Keith Matthews is the only change from the side that beat Newport Gwent Dragons 39-17 on April 3rd, though Browne could yet be replaced by Michael Swift and Colm Rigney could yet deputise for number eight Ray Ofisa.

David Nolan will be named on the bench if that is the case.

Munster’s backrow sees the return of the in-form Niall Ronan and a first cap for Samoan-born Nick Williams, with Denis Leamy at number eight.

In a completely changed frontrow, Denis Fogarty replaces Jerry Flannery at hooker and Federico Pucciariello and Tony Buckley come in for Marcus Horan and John Hayes respectively.

Should it not go to plan for McGahan, there is an embarrassment of riches in the form of David Wallace, O’Leary, Mafi, O’Gara and Horan among the replacements.

Munster: D Hurley, D Howlett, B Murphy, K Earls, I Dowling, P Warwick, P Stringer, F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll (c), D Ryan, N Williams, N Ronan, D Wallace

Replacements: M Essex, M Horan, B Holland, D Wallace, T O'Leary, R O'Gara L Mafi.

Connacht: G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta'auso, T Nathan, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; A Browne/M Swift, A Farley; J Muldoon (C), J O'Connor, C Rigney/R Ofisa.

Replacements: A Flavin, B McGovern, M Swift/D Gannon, C Rigney/D Nolan, C O'Loughlin, A Dunne, M Deane.