There is a double edge to tonight's match between Munster and Connacht at Thomond Park (live on TG4, 7.35) as this contest counts toward both the Celtic League and the Guinness Interprovincial Championship. Neither management team is likely to differentiate between the importance of the competitions but the fact remains the interpros count towards European Cup qualification for next season.
Munster will be the fresher team as their last game was a friendly defeat by London Irish last Tuesday. By contrast Connacht were in action at th e Sportsground last Friday night where they were defeated by Edinburgh, 30-21.
One positive for Ulster to emerge was the organisation and application shown in defence during the first half. The plethora of changes after the interval eroded that understanding and coach Steph Nel will be hoping his team can replicate the first 40 minutes at Thomond Park.
He hands a debut to 20-year-old left-wing Ois∅n Grennan who impressed for Connacht Colts against a French touring team, a Languedoc selection. Jim Ferris moves to his more familiar position of scrumhalf to the exclusion of Chris Keane, who doesn't make the bench. Colm Rigney is preferred to Paul Neville at openside.
Munster welcome back Ronan O'Gara, albeit to the bench, for the first time this season. Peter Clohessy is among the replacements as is Frankie Sheahan.Marcus Horan and James Blaney are handed starting roles in the front row. The Irish back row of Alan Quinlan, David Wallace and Anthony Foley returns.
MUNSTER: J Staunton; J O'Neill, M Mullins, J Kelly, A Horgan; J Holland, P Stringer; M Horan, J Blaney, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: P Clohessy, F Sheahan, P O'Connell, J Williams, M Prendergast, R O'Gara, K Keane.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, O Grennan; E Elwood, J Ferris; D McFarland, M Uijs, P Bracken; R Frost, M McConnell (capt); M Swift, D Dillon, C Rigney. Replacements: R McCormack, T Kearns, D Browne, P Neville, J O'Connor, E Reddan, M McHugh.
