DAVID WALLACE WILL make his long awaited return to competitive rugby this Sunday when Munster take on Aironi in Parma.
The 35-year-old will take a seat on the bench after Tony McGahan named the starting line-up today.
Wallace’s traditional position on the open side of the scrum is filled by Tommy O’Donnell.
Also returning from injury is Mike Sherry. The hooker is a little further down the road than Wallace, he will make his first start since sustaining an ankle injury in club action with Garryowen.
This fixture was initially scheduled for early February, on the same weekend as Ireland’s would-be game in Paris, but fell foul of the cold snap.
Simon Zebo is in line to start despite training with the Ireland squad this week, but injury to Conor Murray ensured an international recall for Tomas O’Leary.
Duncan Williams will take the number nine jersey and he is joined at half back by Scott Deasy. Academy scrum-half Cathal Sheridan has been awarded a place on the bench.
Mick O’Driscoll will captain the side from second row and aside from the half-backs, it is a strong looking line-up for the southern province with Felix Jones at fullback and new signing, Save Tokula, alongside Lifeimi Mafi in the centre..
Munster (v Aironi): F Jones, D Hurley, S Tokula, L Mafi, S Zebo; S Deasy, D Williams; W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer; B Holland, M O’Driscoll capt; Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, P Butler.
Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan, BJ Botha, I Nagle, D Wallace, C Sheridan, I Keatley, L O’Dea.
