Connacht team to face Munster
Connacht Rugby Head Coach Pat Lam has announced the team to face Munster in round 18 of the Guinness PRO12 tomorrow (Kick Off: 5.15pm – live on Sky Sports).
There are four personnel changes in total from 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 his fellow Galway man Tiernan O’Halloran shifts to fullback. Scrum half Kieran Marmion returns for a new half back pairing with Jack Carty while Craig Ronaldson moves to outside centre.
Up front, Academy forward Eoghan Masterson is named at openside flanker for his fifth game this season, joining skipper John Muldoon and Number 8 George Naoupu in the back row.
Quinn Roux and Eoin McKeon return to take their place amongst the replacement forwards while backs Shane O’Leary and Conor Finn are also introduced to the match day squad.
Commenting on the upcoming game, Pat Lam said:
“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.”
Connacht team to face Munster
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Darragh Leader
13. Danie Poolman
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Eoghan Masterson
8. George Naoupu
Replacements:
16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Quinn Roux
20. Eoin McKeon
21. John Cooney
22. Shane O’Leary
23. Conor Finn
Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Mata Fifita, Willie Faloon, Jake Heenan, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Niyi Adeolokun, Mils Muliaina.
Munster v Connacht
At Thomond Park, 5.15pm
Live on Sky Sports
Listen to Galway Bay FM
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 49th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU )