Home advantage could be just what Munster need when they return to Guinness PRO14 action on Friday night with a blockbuster Round 4 clash against Ospreys at Thomond Park.

Johann van Graan’s men were on the end of a 40-16 defeat to Toyota Cheetahs last time out as they lost ground on Scarlets at the top of Conference B after starting the season with two wins.

The Irish province have made five changes for the visit of Ospreys, safe in the knowledge that they are unbeaten at home in their last 23 home games in all competitions since December 2017.

Calvin Nash and Neil Cronin replace Darren Sweetnam and Nick McCarthy in the backline, while James Cronin, Jed Holloway and Jack O’Sullivan come in to the forward pack.

But they will not have it easy against an Ospreys side who are in high spirits after beating Benetton last time out, making just two injury-enforced changes for their trip to Cork.

Hanno Dirksen and Tom Williams replace Luke Morgan and Keelan Giles on the wings, while Dan Lydiate will lead the Welsh region into battle on his 50th appearance for the club.

Kick-off: Irish Independent Park, Cork | KO 19:35, Friday 25 October

How to watch: Live on eir sport 1, Premier Sports 2, TG4, DAZN

Players to watch out for: Rhys Marshall (Munster), Sam Parry (Ospreys)

This could be a fascinating battle between two very in-form hookers, especially with Sam Parry coming off the back of his hat-trick heroics against Benetton last time out.

Rhys Marshall is a formidable opponent, however, and both will play a key role in deciding which team comes out on top in the set-piece showdown – and potentially deciding the match.

Key stat: Munster have won their last seven encounters against Ospreys since the Welsh region’s 21-17 victory at Irish Independent Park in February 2016.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Tyler Bleyendaal, Neil Cronin; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Jed Holloway, Billy Holland ©; Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell, Jack O’Sullivan

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Jeremy Loughman, Fineen Wycherley, Arno Botha, Craig Casey, JJ Hanrahan, Sammy Arnold

Ospreys: Cai Evans; Hanno Dirksen, Scott Williams, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Tom Williams; Luke Price, Matthew Aubrey; Rhodri Jones, Sam Parry, Tom Botha; Dan Lydiate ©, Lloyd Ashley; Olly Cracknell, Sam Cross, Gareth Evans

Replacements: Scott Otten, Gareth Thomas, Ma’afu Fia, Will Griffiths, Dan Baker, Reuben Morgan-Williams, James Hook, Lesley Klim

Cardiff City Stadium will play host to the 2020 Guinness PRO14 Final on June 20 as one of the most exciting days in the club rugby calendar comes to Wales!

General sale tickets are available from http://bit.ly/PRO14Cardiff2020 and prices start at just £13 for concessions and £26 for adults (subject to booking fees), that’s a 15% early bird discount. Family ticket (2 adults / 2 children) prices begin at £64 and fans are encouraged to buy early to get the best value tickets.