Munster have omitted captain Peter O'Mahony from the matchday squad for their opening Heineken Cup fixture against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday (1.35pm).
O'Mahony took a heavy blow to the head against Leinster on Saturday but has been "integrated back in to training this week following on from his half-time replacement".
The province insists “all protocol” regarding return to play has been adhered to, but that, with a “heavy schedule in the upcoming weeks ... a decision to omit Peter from this weekend’s opening round Heineken Cup game against Edinburgh has been made.”
In his absence, Paul O'Connell will captain the side in the Scottish capital, while Paddy Butler has been brought into the pack to join Niall Ronan and James Coughlan in the backrow.
In the only change to the backline, scrumhalf Conor Murray replaces Duncan Williams.
Munster: F Jones; K Earls, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D Ryan, P O'Connell (captain).; P Butler, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, J Cronin, BJ Botha, D O'Callaghan, CJ Stander, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, D Hurley.
