Munster rest internationals, injuries ease for Ulster

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has rested Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery and Craig Casey for Sunday's meeting with Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, while the hosts have been boosted by the return of several injured players for the New Year's Day derby.

Munster have had to rest some of their internationals, and have made six changes from the side that started against Leinster on Monday.

In good news, Jean Kleyn has been passed fit to start in the second row, having dealt with a knee injury this week, while Mike Haley comes back into the side, having missed the defeat on St Stephen;s Day.

Haley starts at full-back, with Shane Daly and Keith Earls starting on the wings, while Malakai Fekitoa is given a chance to impress in the centre alongside Antoine Frisch.

Jack Crowley moves in from the centre to start at out-half, alongside Paddy Patterson.

Roman Salanoa joins Niall Scannell and Dave Kilcoyne in the front row, with Kiran McDonald making his second start for the province in the second row alongside Kleyn.

Alex Kendellen comes into the back row where he joins captain Jack O'Donoghue and Gavin Coombes.

Ulster are without Ireland internationals Mike Lowry, Nick Timoney and Tom O'Toole, but head coach Dan McFarland has been able to welcome back Billy Burns, James Hume, Rob Baloucone and Jacob Stockdale from injury.

Baloucoune and Stockdale start in an all-new back three, either side of full-back Stewart Moore, while Hume returns in the centre to partner Stuart McCloskey.

Burns comes in at out-half having missed the defeat to Connacht due to concussion, with Jon Cooney retaining his place at scrum-half.

Rory Sutherland, Tom Stewart and Marty Moore continue in an unchanged front row, while Alan O'Connor is rested, allowing