Dave Kilcoyne admits he is raring to get back into club action for Munster after the autumn internationals as they take on fellow play-off contenders Glasgow Warriors.

Both sides come into the game on the back of home defeats – Rob Penney’s side losing to the Scarlets, and the Warriors falling to Leinster, and know that a victory is vital ahead of the Heineken Cup break.

Kilcoyne has spent the last three weeks with Ireland, earning his first international caps in a narrow defeat to South Africa before also coming off the bench in the win over Argentina.

Despite that international recognition, Kilcoyne knows he faces a mighty battle to establish himself as a first team regular at Munster but he insists that the strength in depth will only help the side.

He said: “I suppose having a competitive squad brings out the best in everyone and that strength and depth has brought the best out in players and hopefully that's something going forward that we can keep building on.

“Getting that strength in depth and that competition for places and obviously learning from the likes of BJ [Botha] who has played in a World Cup with South Africa, Wian [Du Preez] who's capped for South Africa and Marcus [Horan] with all his experience with Ireland and with Munster, is huge.

"It's so important for us especially after last weekend's defeat. There are points that we need to get and I think we need to put together a huge performance if we're to do that."

Kilcoyne is one of six internationals to return to the starting lineup, alongside Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Donnacha Ryan.

Glasgow have also made changes after their 6-0 loss at home to Leinster with several Scottish internationals returning to the fold.

Stuart Hogg comes in at centre while Ryan Grant will look to take his impressive international form back to the RaboDirect PRO12.

There is also a welcome return from injury for Duncan Weir at fly-half after two months out with a knee injury.

And Weir admits it’s been a tough few weeks watching from the sidelines.

He told the Scotsman: "I'm just itching to get out there and put in a good performance because I know if I don't there are two guys clapping on the door.

"I was quite happy with the way I was going in the first three games of the season.

"I've added a more attacking mind-set to my game this year with Gregor Townsend coming in, and I was getting comfortable moving on the ball and feeding players off me.”

At Thomond Park , 7.45pm. Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 5th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)
Live on TG4 and BBC ALBA