Munster head coach Rob Penney believes Peter O’Mahony still has a major part to play for the RaboDirect PRO12 side despite being ruled out for the rest of the season. Back row O’Mahony underwent reconstructive shoulder surgery this week and as a result James Coughlan will captain Munster against Glasgow Warriors. They have won all 13 home games they have played in all tournaments this season and no Scottish side has won on Munster soil since the Warriors themselves won at Musgrave Park in May 2008. For the clash with the Warriors, currently fourth and eyeing a win that would boost their hopes of a home semi-final, Munster make seven changes. BJ Botha is the only front row member to remain in situ, and will pack down alongside Duncan Casey at hooker and John Ryan at loose head. Paul O'Connell is rested this week so Munster's most capped player Donncha O'Callaghan joins Dave Foley in the second row to win cap number 247. Following on from his man of the match display against Toulouse, CJ Stander starts this week, Sean Dougall returns at open-side, with Captain James Coughlan completing the back row at 8. This week JJ Hanrahan joins Conor Murray in the half back partnership while the back line sees Keith Earls move to outside centre in the absence of Casey Laulala who continues to recuperate after sustaining a fractured bone in his right hand against Toulouse. Gerhard van den Heever takes Earls' position on the wing, the South African flyer hoping to add to his tally of two tries in six matches in the RaboDirect PRO12. "Peter has an important role still to play, he'll do some analysis for us and he'll be supporting the group in behind the scenes with us coaches and the players, helping prepare for the games ahead,” said Penney. "I spoke to him following the surgery and he was in a buoyant enough mood given the disappointment of the news. "Peter is a pragmatic type person so he's approaching it with a real view of getting himself right for the long term. "The surgeon said it was a great success, they had to do a little bit more than they thought, so hopefully now he can start into his rehab. "I wouldn't want to put a time on his return but it will be a protracted length of time and the key now is that he rehabs it well and doesn't try to fix it too early.” Glasgow Warriors have won their last three matches, which have all been played at Scotstoun but they have lost their last two away games. After his man of the match performance against Treviso last week, Finn Russell keeps the No 12 jersey, with Alex Dunbar replacing Mark Bennett at outside centre. Duncan Weir comes in for Ruaridh Jackson at fly-half and Chris Cusiter once again captains the side, after replacing Henry Pyrgos at scrum-half. Tim Swinson links up with Jonny Gray in the engine room, with Al Kellock not involved this weekend. Josh Strauss replaces Rob Harley at blindside, Chris Fusaro comes in for Tyrone Holmes at openside and Ryan Wilson continues at No.8. Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: "Munster will be buoyed by their victory over Toulouse last weekend and the comprehensive nature of their win has underlined just what a tough place Thomond Park is to go and get a result, as we are all too well aware. "A lot of our squad have put their hands up for selection this week and it was a difficult team selection with so many in-form players. "We're delighted to be heading to Limerick on the back of a three-game winning run, but we know there are areas we must improve if we're to come away with a victory." At Thomond Park, 6.30pm. Live on TG4/BBC ALBA Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 108th competition game) Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, David Connolly (IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU) TMO: Alan Rogan
