Looking ahead to the forthcoming URC match, Munster, led by Graham Rowntree, aims to leverage their home-field advantage when they encounter Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday evening. This crucial game is part of Munster’s aim to maintain their push upwards in the URC standings. Being in third place, they will have knowledge of the results in South Africa, where leaders Glasgow are contending with fourth-placed Vodacom Bulls. In addition, with Leinster expected to triumph over Ospreys later, there are minimal opportunities for realignment at the top.
For Connacht and Munster, there are significant stakes. Connacht, having narrowed the distance in the leader board in the past few weeks, now finds themselves amongst the top eight. Despite this, their position isn’t secure, as they share the identical points with Ulster and Benetton.
Notably, Connacht has enjoyed a robust recent record versus Munster, emerging victorious in four out of their past six encounters, which includes the New Year’s Day fixture at Dexcom Stadium. However, their only URC victory in Limerick took place back in 2015 when Bundee Aki scored the winning try.
Bundee Aki, who recently returned to the province following international commitments, and Tom Farrell will pair up once more in the upcoming match. Also contributing is veteran Tiernan O’Halloran, who scored in the 2015 victory, will retain the fullback role this Saturday.
Due to an ACL injury in the recent Dragons victory, Jack Carty steps back into the fly-half position as JJ Hanrahan, the former Munster player, looks at an extended time out. This is a substantial hit to the team considering Hanrahan’s 89% kicking accuracy has played a significant role in Connacht’s success this season.
As the competition escalates, head coach Pete Wilkins noted a “distinctive feel” among the squad, saying, “These are the kind of days you train for and look forward to all year. There is an intensity and an excitement. It is there in every interpro week, but especially this coming so near the end of the season. It doesn’t quite feel like a cup final, but there is a different edge to it.”
A 23-strong team has been selected, which they believe is capable of displaying a robust and determined performance right from the start, given the demands of the fixture. There’s no doubt about the calibre of individuals Munster possesses throughout their lineup, hence playing against them in Limerick is always a formidable challenge. However, they are confident in the strength of their squad and their strategic plan, which would provide them a fair shot if they perform to their full potential.
The chances of success for Connacht hinge substantially on their ability to stay competitive and control the match, which, as Wilkins acknowledges, won’t be easy against a Munster team aspiring for the championship. He argues that when visiting Thomond Park, the strategy shouldn’t merely be about survival but adopting an offensive approach equal to theirs, endeavouring to regain possession swiftly, instead of enabling them to determine the pace and style of the game.
After defeating the Lions handsomely in South Africa, Munster endures the prospect of a home quarter-final. Coach Rowntree has made only a couple of alterations to his squad, with Craig Casey superseding at scrumhalf and Conor Murray being sidelined. At the same time, Alex Nankivell steps in for Antoine Frisch in the midfield. It’s a notable moment for Jack Crowley, as he secures his 50th cap with Munster.
Munster enjoys substantial home support, with 19,000 tickets already purchased. Denis Leamy, Munster’s defence coach, claims that the focus of the three remaining games of the season is nothing but victories. Besides the temptation of the quarter-finals, Munster is keen to achieve an interprovincial triumph.
Leamy expresses respect for their opponents and acknowledges the magnitude of the upcoming match against their adjacent rivals. A compelling performance is imperative to validate their efforts of recent weeks. Interestingly, Connacht hasn’t won an interpro this season, which is featuring prominently in their thoughts. Anticipating a hard-fought match against them, Leamy speaks highly of the skill and the challenge Connacht can potentially bring to the game.
The playing line up for the teams Munster and Connacht are as follows:
Munster’s starting line-up includes S Zebo, C Nash, A Nankivell, S O’Brien, S Daly, J Crowley, C Casey, J Loughman, N Scannell, S Archer, RG Snyman, T Beirne (captain), P O’Mahony, A Kendellen, J O’Donoghue. Their substitutes are E Clarke, M Donnelly, O Jager, T Ahern, G Coombes, C Murray, J Carbery, A Frisch.
As for Connacht, they will start with T O’Halloran, S Jennings, T Farrell, B Aki, B Ralston, J Carty (captain), M Devine, P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Joyce, O Dowling, S Hurley-Langton, C Oliver, P Boyle. The replacements lined up are D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, N Murray, S Jansen, C Blade, C Forde, J Butler.
Adam Jones (WRU) will be the referee for the match.