CONOR MURRAY RETURNS in a massive boost for Munster’s crunch Heineken Cup trip to Gloucester.

There was more good news for Rob Penney with Damien Varley passed fit for tomorrow evening’s clash in Kingsholm while Simon Zebo is named on the bench for the first time since cracking a bone in his foot in October.

Murray missed the last five weeks with a knee injury but returns as one of four changes in the backs along with Keith Earls, Johne Murphy and James Downey.

At out-half Penney has shown his faith in Ian Keatley, leaving JJ Hanrahan on the bench, while BJ Botha and Dave Foley are the only changes in the pack.

Munster currently top Pool 6 on 14 points, and with Gloucester five points back in second, a win tomorrow would all but guarantee their place in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile Andrew Conway has been ruled out of tonight’s ‘A’ game against Nottingham at St Mary’s RFC. Conway was due to start on the wing but felt tightness in his groin after training yesterday and has been replaced by Darren Sweetnam.

Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Johne Murphy; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell; Peter O’Mahony (c), Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Donncha O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo.

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