Backlash expected

CELTIC LEAGUE/Munster v Connacht: Despite the absence of their international halfbacks, the Munster line-up this evening has enough familiar faces in it to overrun their western visitors, writes Gavin Cummiskey

For starters, the once regular back-row trio of Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley and David Wallace reunite for the final encounter at fortress Thomond this season. A decision has yet to be made on Jim Williams' future with the province, either way, he is ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a knee injury.

John Kelly and Anthony Horgan are redeployed to the wings, while Jeremy Staunton makes a rare start at outhalf. Shaun Payne moves to outside centre. Paul O'Connell is a late withdrawal with a calf strain, so David Pusey comes in, with Trevor Hogan taking the spare slot on the bench.

Alan Gaffney's rejigging comes as no surprise considering the 60-point battering Munster took in Cardiff last week. A backlash looks on the cards.

Michael Bradley will not name his Connacht team until today due to a raft of injury concerns.

Tom Carter and Dave Hewitt are both on international sevens duty in Poland, while Mark McHugh, Darren Yapp and Ted Robinson are all doubtful. Damian Browne and Justin Meagher join them on the treatment table.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; J Kelly, S Payne, J Holland, A Horgan; J Staunton, E Reddan; M Horan, J Flannery, G McIlwham; D O'Callaghan, D Pusey; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: S Kerr, F Roche, T Hogan, S Keogh, M Prendergast, M Mullins, M Lawlor.