Heineken Cup champions Munster kick-off their defence at Welford Road - taking on Leicester Tigers, winners of the competition in 2001 and 2002.

Leicester, also finalists in 1997, currently stand fifth in the Guinness Premiership, and will be hoping to continue their Heineken Cup form that has seen them win 47 out of their 67 ties so far.

Munster have a remarkable record in the Heineken Cup, playing in every competition since its inception, reaching three finals, three semi-finals and winning 53 of their 77 matches, scoring 204 tries.

Tigers coach Pat Howard has made four changes to his team following the win over Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership last weekend.

Head coach Howard welcomes back Daryl Gibson, Martin Castrogiovanni, Tom Varndell and Paul Burke to his starting XV. Harry Ellis and Seru Rabeni are also named on the bench on their comeback from injury.

Gibson sat out the win over Saints due to the one-foreigner rule in domestic league rugby, but two overseas players are permitted in the Heineken Cup.

Varndell returns after a short loan spell with Bedford and following his recovery from a knee injury.

Burke gets the nod at fly-half against his former club and prop Castrogiovanni regains his place after two weeks away with the Italian national squad for the World Cup qualifying wins over Portugal and Russia.

On the decision to go for Varndell and Burke, Howard said: "It is very tough on Johne Murphy, who has had three good games for us in the last few weeks, but Tom has recovered from a slight knee injury and at his best he offers good finishing power.

"Burkey has had three solid games. The competition is very tough at number 10 but he has won through for this game."

And Howard is also delighted to have England scrum-half Ellis and Fiji's Rabeni back in the frame after injury.

"It is tough on other guys but it is a competitive squad and it is great to have them back," he said.