Fresh from their historic away win over Leinster, Connacht are hoping to lower the colours of Munster, the team currently leading the race to qualify from Conference B for March’s Guinness PRO14 final.
After last week’s historic triumph away to Leinster, Friend’s charges, who trail Munster by eight points at the top of Conference B, have been further boosted by the return of a number of Ireland internationals and others after injury absences.
The first change comes in the front row where Finlay Bealham is restored to tighthead prop, alongside Denis Buckley and Shane Delahunt.
Quinn Roux continues as captain and is rejoined in the second row by Ultan Dillane, while the westerners’ starting back row is made up of Conor Oliver, Sean Masterson and Sean O’Brien, who is back on board after a six-week injury lay-off.
Aiming to back up their stellar performances from round 10 are half-backs Jack Carty, who starred with a 25-point haul in Dublin, and Caolin Blade as well as centres Sam Arnold and Tom Daly.
Former Australian Sevens international Ben O’Donnell, who made his debut off the bench against Leinster, comes in for his first start on the right wing. He has John Porch and Alex Wootton for company in the back-three.
Connacht have confirmed that all professional players and management returned negative results in this week’s round of PCR testing. A number of players who have spent the last period in self-isolation will return to training next week.
Adding the returning Paul Boyle and Ireland international Dave Heffernan to the bench, Friend noted: “Last week’s win was a testament to the belief and determination that was still present in our squad despite a challenging few weeks.
“Now it’s all about backing that up and finding another win that will bring us right into contention for a Guinness PRO14 final spot.
“We’ve had a very positive week with no new Covid cases and a few players available to us again, but we will still have to be at our best to overcome a Munster side that is full of quality.”
Meanwhile, with only two changes to the team that mustered a famous comeback victory in Clermont Auvergne, Munster have strengthened their selection significantly for their round 11 date with Connacht.
Head coach Johann van Graan is looking for a big performance from his side as they look to cement their place at the top of Conference B and head back into European action in winning style.
Returning from an abdomen injury, James Cronin will make his 100th PRO14 appearance in the front row alongside Kevin O’Byrne and Stephen Archer.
The remainder of the starting XV is the same as the one which took to the pitch against Clermont last month, with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne packing down together in the engine room.
Gavin Coombes, one of Munster’s most impressive performers so far this season, is restored to the blindside flanker berth, and the ever-influential pairing of captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander complete the back row.
Shane Daly, the only player to retain his position from last week’s 15-10 loss at Ulster, makes up the back-three with Mike Haley, who is set to draw within one of a half-century of Munster caps, and Keith Earls.
JJ Hanrahan, who landed five successful kicks in both of his last two outings against Connacht, comes back in to form the half-back tandem with Conor Murray, and Chris Farrell and Damian de Allende also renew their partnership in midfield.
There are two Greencore Academy players named among the replacements – Josh Wycherley and Ben Healy. Josh’s older brother, Fineen, is also on the bench and is primed to make his 50th Munster appearance.
Munster senior coach Stephen Larkham commented: “It’s a big game for us. Connacht played a good game against Leinster and they’re second in the table, so it’s massive.
“In our planning, we had earmarked this game as very important for us. We had planned for our guys to have a bit of a rest last week. We have an important run of games coming up but we don’t want to focus too far in front of the game this weekend.
“We felt the timing was right to rest the players last weekend. They were in pretty good form prior to that, their fitness levels are very good.
CONNACHT: John Porch; Ben O’Donnell, Sam Arnold, Tom Daly, Alex Wootton; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux (capt), Sean O’Brien, Conor Oliver, Sean Masterson.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Matthew Burke, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Kieran Marmion, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Peter Sullivan.
MUNSTER: Mike Haley; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Coombes, Peter O’Mahony (capt), CJ Stander.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland, Nick McCarthy, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby, Peter Martin (both Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Pre-Match Quotes: Tom Daly (Connacht) –
We kind of said, it was a great win over Leinster but it actually means nothing if we can’t back it up again this week against Munster.
“We were embarrassed here a few weeks ago by Ulster and that win against Leinster has brought a really good buzz into the place and training is really good.
“It doesn’t get any easier. Munster are looking pretty good this year and they’ll obviously be all guns blazing after losing last week up in Ulster so it’s a massive challenge.
“I’ve played Munster a few times since I’ve been here and I don’t think I’ve won one yet. If we can get the win this week, it puts us in a really good place because Munster still have to play Leinster and a few other big teams and it could put us in with a real chance of getting to the final.”
JJ Hanrahan (Munster) –
We feel like we are in a good position but, again in rugby, the past doesn’t matter. As great as it is having that confidence behind you, everything is about the moment and looking forward so we’ve got to make sure we are working and getting better everyday.
“We started the season not knowing what way it was going to go so we just took it one game at a time, and I think that mentality has worked for us. Obviously we fell off the horse last weekend so we are hungry to get on it again this week.
“We know the format of the season and where we need to finish. We are in a good position but that means nothing going into this weekend.
“Connacht are pressing hard and that’s all we are thinking about is this weekend and nothing else. We will focus on this game only and try and take it on its merits.”
Top Scorers – 2020/21 Guinness PRO14: Connacht – Points: Jack Carty 61; Tries: Alex Wootton 6; Munster – Points: Ben Healy 57; Tries: Gavin Coombes 6
2020/21 TEAM FORM: Connacht – Played 8, Won 5, Lost 3, 25 Points; W 28-24 v Glasgow Warriors (home), L 29-7 v Cardiff Blues (away), W 37-26 v Edinburgh (away), L 20-14 v Scarlets (home), W 47-12 v Zebre (away), W 31-14 v Benetton Rugby (home), L 32-19 v Ulster (home), W 35-24 v Leinster (away)
Munster – Played 8, Won 7, Lost 1, 33 Points; W 30-27 v Scarlets (away), W 25-23 v Edinburgh (home), W 38-27 v Cardiff Blues (home), W 28-16 v Dragons (away), W 38-22 v Ospreys (home), W 27-13 v Glasgow Warriors (away), W 52-3 v Zebre (home), L 15-10 v Ulster (away)
RECENT CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS:
Friday, October 27, 2017 – Connacht 20 Munster 16, the Sportsground
Saturday, January 6, 2018 – Munster 39 Connacht 13, Thomond Park
Saturday, January 5, 2019 – Connacht 24 Munster 31, the Sportsground
Saturday, April 27, 2019 – Munster 27 Connacht 14, Thomond Park
Saturday, December 21, 2019 – Connacht 14 Munster 19, the Sportsground
Sunday, August 30, 2020 – Munster 49 Connacht 12, Aviva Stadium
MATCH FACTS:
– Connacht ended Leinster’s remarkable 26-match winning run in Dublin last Saturday and have lost just once in their last four Guinness PRO14 matches – to Ulster in Galway on December 27
– Connacht’s only victory at the Sportsground since October was against Benetton Rugby on December 4
– Munster’s 100% winning record in all competitions in 2020/21 ended with their 15-10 reversal at Ulster last weekend
– The Munstermen have not lost succession away games in the regular season of the PRO14 since October 2018
– Munster have won their last five fixtures against Connacht, since the westerners’ 20-16 success in Galway in October 2017