Peter O'Mahony returns for Munster to start v All Blacks XV

Peter O'Mahony will return from a hamstring injury for Munster’s sold-out clash with an All Blacks XV at Thomond Park on Saturday, with Diarmuid Barron captaining the province in their first game since the departure of head coach Graham Rowntree.

Interim head coach Ian Costello has made eight changes from the side that were beaten 41-24 by the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, as the province look to put a difficult week behind them against the All Blacks' second string.

O’Mahony makes his first appearance since early October, having missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury, and his return will come as a further boost to Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of next week’s meeting with New Zealand in Dublin.

The flanker is one of two changes to the back row, which also sees Gavin Coombes return to the starting team, and John Hodnett remain at openside flanker.

Tom Ahern moves up to the second row where he partners Fineen Wycherley with Evan O’Connell in line for his Munster debut off the bench.

The only change to the front row sees Barron come in for Niall Scannell at hooker to captain the side, with John Ryan and Stephen Archer propping either side of him.

With Craig Casey and Jack Crowley away with Ireland, Ethan Coughlan and Billy Burns are the new half-back combination, with Rory Scannell and Tom Farrell continuing in the centre.

Diarmuid Kilgallen will make his Munster debut on the left wing, with the former Connacht man having missed the start of the season due to injury, while Shay McCarthy and Mike Haley complete the side.

Also included on the bench is scrum-half Paddy Patterson, who is in line for his first appearance since New Year’s Day as he returns from a long-term knee injury.

Munster: Mike Haley; Shay