Munster team news: Simon Zebo returns in trio of changes for Ospreys clash

Simon Zebo will make his first appearance for Munster since December as the province welcomes Ospreys to Thomond Park for Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship clash.

The 32-year-old has been sidelined by a knee injury sustained in last December's win at Edinburgh.

He is among three changes from the side that earned a bonus-point win over Benetton at the end of January and will line out on the wing, with Liam Coombes on the opposite flank and Shane Daly at full-back.

Gavin Coombes returns from Ireland's Six Nations camp to slot back into the side, anchoring the back row. Jack O'Donoghue, who will captain the team after returning from suspension, is the third Munster change from their last fixture and he and John Hodnett complete that back row.

Joey Carbery, who was left out of the Irish squad for the opening rounds of the Six Nations, starts again at 10 with the half-back partnership unchanged as Paddy Patterson keeps his place at scrum-half.

The front row of Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell and Roman Salanoa as well as the second row pairing of Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley are retained. Antoine Frisch and Malakai Fekitoa, the latter of whom will leave the province at the end of the season, also start again at centre.

Ben Healy is among the replacements after returning from Scotland duty, while scrum-half Ethan Coughlan could make his debut off the bench.

Munster are currently sixth in the URC table after seven wins and six defeats from their opening 13 fixtures of the campaign.

Munster: Shane Daly; Liam Coombes, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Simon Zebo; Joey Carbery, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue (C), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: D