Showdown.

Seán O’Brien will make his 50th Munster appearance when Clayton McMillan’s side take on Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

O’Brien starts at outside centre alongside Alex Nankivell, with Tadhg Beirne captaining the side from the second row.

Charlie O’Shea partners Craig Casey at half-back, while Ben O’Connor starts at full-back with Shay McCarthy and Shane Daly on the wings.

Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe and Kieran Brookes form the front row, with Fineen Wycherley joining Beirne at lock. Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes complete the starting XV.

Brian Gleeson is among the replacements alongside Seán Edogbo, while JJ Hanrahan provides an experienced option in the backs.

Looking ahead to the derby, McMillan acknowledged that Munster must continue to improve following a demanding opening to the campaign.

“It has been an intense start to the season, and the team have shown lots of character against quality sides,” he said.

“There is plenty of scope for us to improve, and we have to if we want to be there at the business end of the season and become the team we know we can be.

“Last week was a very emotional one for obvious reasons. This week brings a very different challenge, but we look forward to testing ourselves against one of the most experienced and cohesive sides in world rugby in their own backyard.”

Munster: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Seán O’Brien, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Charlie O’Shea, Craig Casey; Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Michael Ala’alatoa, Seán Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Gordon Wood.