The 31-year-old, who has scored 34 tries in 63 European Cup games – a tally he could add to when Munster take on Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 in April, is brought in as one of several changes by the two-time European champions.

Gavin Coombes starts at No.8 after being released from the Ireland squad and flanker Chris Cloete makes his first appearance since October.

Another huge United Rugby Championship game on Friday sees fourth-placed Leinster Rugby host Edinburgh Rugby, who are second.

Winger Dave Kearney will feature for Leinster for the first time this season, while scrum-half Nick McCarthy is handed his first start since his return from Munster in the summer.

Elsewhere on Friday, two Heineken Champions Cup sides are in action in the Gallagher Premiership, with Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers welcoming London Irish and Northampton Saints respectively.

Nemani Nadolo returns for Leicester, while fellow wing Chris Ashton could make his debut from the bench after joining the club this week.

Flanker Steven Luatua is back to captain Bristol, with fly-half Ioan Lloyd and winger Alapati Leiua also earning recalls to the starting XV.

A tantalising TOP 14 clash on Friday sees Stade Toulousain entertain Stade Français Paris – two sides who successfully navigated Pool B in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup.

Winger Simon Zebo is poised to make his 150th Munster Rugby appearance when the Irish province visit Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship on Friday night.