RUGBY Munster v ConnachtTHERE WILL be a backlash, a fact to which Ronan O'Gara alluded in the wake of last weekend's bitterly disappointing defeat to Harlequins in the Amlin Challenge Cup. The insipid nature of the performance would have been as unpalatable as the loss and Munster will aim to address that issue as a primary concern tonight.
O’Gara explained: “It was disappointing to play like that especially in front of our own supporters who turned up in huge numbers. We pride ourselves on giving them value for their loyalty and last weekend we failed: simple as that. We have to hold our hands up, take responsibility. And we will.”
Munster coach Tony McGahan has opted for wholesale change with only four players, O’Gara, Felix Jones, Doug Howlett and Denis Leamy, retained in a starting capacity.
Paul O’Connell will captain a side that includes young Danny Barnes in the centre and another excellent prospect in Simon Zebo on the left wing.
Tomás O’Leary returns for his first competitive outing since January while Alan Quinlan’s impending retirement at the end of the season will ensure that he cherishes every remaining minute in the red jersey.
Munster have already chalked up a home semi-final but they’ll look on this as an opportunity to set the tone, standard wise, for a three game tilt at silverware.
Connacht will bid farewell to a number of players tonight, one in particular Ian Keatley, who will swap the green jersey for the red of Munster next season. Hooker Seán Cronin, prop Jamie Hagan and Fionn Carr are heading for Leinster, Mike McComish is Ulster-bound while Troy Nathan has accepted a two-year deal from the Glasgow Warriors.
Eric Elwood has enjoyed a largely superb first season in charge of his native province but will underline to his charges the importance of producing a performance at Thomond Park that reflects positively on that progress. The visitors possess one of the brightest prospects in Irish rugby in centre Eoin Griffin and a back three with 14 tries between them this season.
Ancillary considerations will also pop up at Thomond Park for a variety of players as they present their credentials to Ireland coach Declan Kidney for a final time. He will be examining his options at prop, mulling over the merits of versatile players like Donnacha Ryan and Mike McCarthy and no doubt keen to note how O’Leary acquits himself following injury.
Pride will be a galvanising factor for both sides but with Munster looking to recalibrate performance issues and with home advantage, they should prevail.
MUNSTER: F Jones; D Howlett, J Murphy, D Barnes, S Zebo; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, M Sherry, J Hayes; D Ryan, P O'Connell (capt); A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, I Nagle, T O'Donnell, P Stringer, P Warwick, Denis Hurley.
CONNACHT: G Duffy; B Tuohy, E Griffin, M Nikora, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; M McCarthy, B Upton; A Browne, J O'Connor (capt), J Muldoon. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, D Rogers, D Nolan, M McComish, C Willis, T Nathan, T O'Halloran.
Referee: Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
Leading points scorers: Munster – Ronan O'Gara 164. Connacht – Ian Keatley 218
Leading try scorers: Munster – Doug Howlett 6. Connacht – Fionn Carr 7
Verdict: Munster to win.
