There is a lot more than just bragging rights on the line at Thomond Park as despite being nicely positioned in the GUINNESS PRO12 table, third-placed Munster and Connacht, in sixth, both have teams below them ready to pounce if they lose again.
GUINNESS PRO12: Saturday, March 28
MUNSTER (3rd) v CONNACHT (6th), Thomond Park, 5.15pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD/highlights TG4)
Team News: Munster head coach Anthony Foley has named a strong selection to face Connacht in round 18 of the GUINNESS PRO12. Centre Denis Hurley captains a side which includes a number of returning Ireland internationals.
In total, there are five changes to the team that lost to the Ospreys in the last round. John Ryan and Stephen Archer come into the front row to start either side of Eusebio Guinazu, with Donncha O’Callaghan and Billy Holland continuing in the second row.
The return of Tommy O’Donnell at openside flanker is the only change to the back row with Dave O’Callaghan and CJ Stander retained at blindside and number 8 respectively.
Duncan Williams and Ian Keatley again team up in the half-backs, while Andrew Smith makes his first start since returning from injury, doing so outside stand-in skipper Denis Hurley in midfield.
The return of Smith sees Keith Earls move to the right wing with Simon Zebo returning on the opposite flank. Felix Jones completes the back-three, reverting to full-back for this weekend’s interprovincial clash.
Having successfully rehabbed an ankle injury sustained during training in February, hooker Duncan Casey is named among the replacements.
Over 17,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s game and tickets will be available to purchase on the day. Adult tickets start from €;20 with Juniors priced from €;7. You can purchase tickets online from Ticketmaster.ie, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices in Thomond Park or Irish Independent Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.
Both the Men’s and Women’s RBS 6 Nations trophies will be presented at half-time at Thomond Park with victorious Ireland captains Paul O’Connell and Niamh Briggs both in attendance.
Meanwhile, Connacht boss Pat Lam has opted to make personnel changes to the team that played Cardiff Blues last time out, with three of those changes in the backs.
Darragh Leader comes onto the right wing while fellow Galway man Tiernan O’Halloran shifts to full-back. Scrum half Kieran Marmion returns for a new half-back pairing with Jack Carty and Craig Ronaldson moves to outside centre.
Up front, Academy forward Eoghan Masterson is named at openside flanker for his fifth game this season, joining captain John Muldoon and number 8 George Naoupu in the back row.
Quinn Roux and Eoin McKeon return to take their places among the reserve forwards, while backs Shane O’Leary and Conor Finn are also introduced to the matchday squad.
MUNSTER: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley (capt), Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Duncan Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, Paddy Butler, Jack O’Donoghue, Neil Cronin, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O’Mahony.
CONNACHT: Tiernan O’Halloran; Darragh Leader, Danie Poolman, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Michael Kearney, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon (capt), Eoghan Masterson, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Quinn Roux, Eoin McKeon, John Cooney, Shane O’Leary, Conor Finn.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Munster to win: 1/7; Draw: 25/1; Connacht to win: 4/1
Pre-Match Quotes: Denis Hurley (Munster) – “We have respected all these fixtures consistently over the years. We know exactly what threats Connacht bring to the table but this is probably as strong as they have been in a number of years.
“Losing (24-16) up there (in Galway) was very disappointing, but (it) s a bit of a carrot this weekend trying to promote ourselves to being the top team in the country. The only way we can do that is by beating teams, we owe Connacht one in many regards but I suppose our performance is what is going to be key to winning the game.
“We started badly against the Ospreys and once we drifted away on the scoreboard we struggled to get back into the game. I think this weekend we really have to mind how the discipline is. They are going to be key points in keeping us in the game. It is about putting pressure on Connacht on any parts of the game we can. The tries might come later, but it is (all) about the start.
“There are only five league games to go. Both us and Connacht are fighting for spots in the top six and then top four. We want to make sure we make the top six first of all. It is important that we are winning games to put us in contention for semi-final spots.
“We just have to focus from game to game. Four points are going to be very important. It is so tightly-packed between the top six or seven teams that every point really does count towards the end of the season.”
Pat Lam (Connacht) – “We are fully aware that Munster at Thomond Park is a big challenge, but we also have the self belief that if we focus on our game-plan and work as a team, we can go down there and perform.
“It’s no secret that we’ve been hit with injuries, especially in certain positions but what it has highlighted is the importance of team work within the squad. Younger guys like Eoghan (Masterson) can step up with ease to pick up the role and do their part for the team with confidence.
“Interpro games like this are always big occasions but, for us, there are four points up for grabs and rather than get too caught up in the emotion of a derby game, we want to channel everything into a performance. We’re very much looking forward to it.”
Top Scorers – 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12: Munster – Points: Ian Keatley 117; Tries: CJ Stander 6; Connacht – Points: Craig Ronaldson 61; Tries: Aly Muldowney 4
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, March 24, 2012 – Connacht 16 Munster 20, the Sportsground
Saturday, December 22, 2012 – Connacht 12 Munster 16, the Sportsground
Saturday, March 23, 2013 – Munster 22 Connacht 0, Musgrave Park
Friday, December 27, 2013 – Munster 22 Connacht 16, Thomond Park
Saturday, April 19, 2014 – Connacht 23 Munster 32, the Sportsground
Thursday, January 1, 2015 – Connacht 24 Munster 16, the Sportsground
MATCH FACTS:
– Munster’s four-match unbeaten run in the GUINNESS PRO12 came to an end against the Ospreys in Swansea in round 17
– The Munstermen have won their last five home games in the league at their two venues since the Ospreys beat them 19-14 at Thomond Park in September
– Munster have lost just one home game against a fellow Irish province since the start of last season: 19-17 to Ulster on May 10
– Connacht have obtained three away wins in the PRO12 this season while the only time they have ever gained four victories on the road in the same season was a decade ago
– All four of Connacht’s fixtures with fellow Irish provinces this season have been won by the home side on the day, while the one occasion that they have ever beaten such opposition on their own soil in the league was against Leinster at Donnybrook in September 2002
– Connacht beat Munster 24-16 at the Sportsground in round 12 and have never achieved a season’s double over their rivals
– Connacht have not been victorious in Munster since an 11-9 win at Thomond Park in 1986
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