Howlett, who joined up with the squad last week has, as expected, been named in the extended squad for the game. With Ian Dowling sidelined the former All Black is expected to play some part in the game as Munster maintain their Magners League challenge and get ready for European action in the coming weeks.

Tomas O’Leary also makes a return the squad following a bout of pneumonia.

Munster Squad

Shaun Payne, Anthony Horgan, Brian Carney, Doug Howlett, Kieran Lewis, Barry Murphy, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Tomas O’Leary, Gerry Hurley, Peter Stringer. Ronan O’Gara, Paul Warwick, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, John Hayes, Frank Sheahan, Jerry Flannery, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Niall Ronan, David Wallace, Anthony Foley.