ANTHONY Foley leads Munster into battle as their head coach for the first time this afternoon against a Sale Sharks side still smarting from their 43-10 defeat to Northampton in the Guinness Premiership last weekend.
He makes seven changes for the trip to Salford from the starting line-up that defeated Scarlets 17-6 in last weekend's Guinness PRO12 action with Paul O'Connell (below) among those returning and hoping to recapture the success that saw them win European titles in 2006 and 2008.
"Sale are due a due a big performance and that's what we're going to get," said Foley.
"We've watched more than just last weekend's game against Northampton and we know they've got an ability to turn teams over and score some very impressive tries."
Leinster kick-off their campaign tomorrow against Wasps at the RDS in Dublin.
There are five changes to the front eight that started in last weekend's win over Zebre in the PRO12.
Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip starts in the back row alongside the returning Dominic Ryan. Devin Toner comes in to start in the second row alongside Mike McCarthy in place of Kane Douglas and Sean Cronin starts in the front row in place of Richardt Strauss and Michael Bent comes in for Marty Moore.
Heaslip will make his 70th appearance in Europe since making his debut against Bath in 2005.
"I think you have seen by the way they have re-jigged the European Rugby Champions Cup that there is no longer one pool of death - they are all pools of death. But that's where we all want to be playing our rugby as individuals and as teams - against the very best players," said Heaslip.
"We have a pretty good start against a team with a very good heritage in Europe and we know Wasps will present a very big challenge. We are two pretty evenly matched teams.
"They are a good side and there is a reason why they have qualified for the Champions Cup. They have some very big ball carriers in the back row that can give them a lot of momentum."