The ex-Lions and Wales hooker has been out of action for four months after surgery on a career-threatening neck disc problem. Williams, 32, has played twice for Swansea in the Welsh Premier and now starts for the Ospreys, though Duncan Jones stays as skipper. Fellow hooker Richard Hibbard has been ruled out with a bicep problem.
Wales prop Paul James is also back on the bench, having recently played for Swansea after five months out following a similar neck problem to Williams. Lee Beach (broken foot), Brent Cockbain (hamstring), David Bishop (knee) and Ryan Jones (shoulder) remain long-term Osprey injuries, while Adrian Cashmore (back) is again ruled out. Shane Williams starts after passing a late fitness test on his side strain.
The Ospreys have won their last five games at the Liberty Stadium and will need to continue that run if they are to keep their hopes of an automatic Heineken Cup place alive, but they have failed to record a win over Munster since September 2004, and lost the reverse fixture at Musgrave Park in September 37-10.
Ospreys: Stefan Terblanche; Richard Mustoe, Sonny Parker, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Shaun Connor, Jason Spice; Duncan Jones (capt), Barry Williams, Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Andrew Lloyd, Steven Tandy, Jonathan Thomas
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Paul James, Lyndon Bateman, James Bater, Matthew Jones, Andrew Bishop, Jonathan Vaughton
Munster: Shaun Payne; Anthony Horgan, Christian Cullen, Trevor Halstead, Mossy Lawlor; Ronan O’Gara, Mike Prendergast; Eugene McGovern, Denis Fogarty, John Hayes, Mick O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Stephen Keogh, Denis Leamy, Anthony Foley (capt)
Replacements: Tim Ryan, Damian Varley, Donncha O’Callaghan, John O’Sullivan, Alan Quinlan, Tomas O’Leary, Gary Connolly
Referee: Graeme Hannah (Scotland)