Munster travel to France this weekend to take on Castres Olympique in round 1 of the Champions cup.

There are three changes to the side that were defeated by Leinster on Saturday with Simon Zebo returning at full back, Darren Sweetnam coming back into the side on the right wing and Rory Scannell joining Champions Cup debutant Chris Farrell in the centre.

The impressive Keith Earls keeps his place on the left wing after a brace of tries in Dublin last weekend. Conor Murray and Tyler Bleyendaal have returned to partner each other in the half backs, with Bleyendaal moving in from inside centre where he was deployed last week.

Short term signing Mark Flanagan makes his Campions Cup debut from the province in the second row as he partners Munster’s most capped player Billy Holland, Stephen Archer has been named at tighthead alongside fellow Irish internationals Dave Kilcoyne and Niall Scannell.

The back row is the same with Peter O’Mahony, captain, and Tommy O’Donnell flankers and CJ Stander packing down at number 8.

Castres and Munster haven’t met since the 2011/12 season but Sunday’s clash marks the 13th time the sides have met in the European Cup, a record for the competition.

Team | 5 changes: Zebo, Sweetnam, RScannell, Archer & Flanagan all in. CCup debuts for Flanagan & Farrellhttps://t.co/UvTx2XbB8C#COvMUN pic.twitter.com/K2ueaw0pNH

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 13, 2017

Munster: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Mark Flanagan, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony Capt., Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Liam O’Connor, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Andrew Conway.