Connacht v Munster Preview

With defences tougher to crack in this season's Guinness Interprovincial Championship, off-the-cuff individual inspiration has become more valuable. Accordingly, both Connacht and Munster unveil a dash of something a little more unexpected in the form of Shane Stephens and Jeremy Staunton today.

Their selection may or may not work, but on form these two can be worth the admission money alone. The bottom line is that they're gamebreakers who can create an opening out of seemingly little or nothing.

Their presence at least adds to the intrigue of this encounter. As Steph Nel continues to assess his playing personnel Connacht have picked a stronger looking starting XV. Rowen Frost will give them a better middle-of-the-line option, Stephens at centre and Robbie Lee at full back makes for a better balance to their back-line, and although Ian Dillon has been a mightily effective irritant to the opposition thus far, Colm Rigney's inclusion is at least partially based on him reputedly going well against Junior Charlie in a Buccaneers-Galwegians league match last Sunday.

Munster have selected Mike Mullins in the centre alongside Jason Holland while former Newcastle Falcon back row Ed Thorpe will replace Alan Quinlan who has been forced to withdraw because of a back spasm. John Kelly, who was in contention for the centre position, is among the replacements.

Connacht put it up to Munster in Thomond Park last week and weren't flattered by the final scoreline after conceding a couple of soft tries.

Furthermore, Munster's reputation and achievements last season and list of big names continues to get the gander up of opposition players and supporters alike.

Then again, Munster are, well, Munster. They can absorb pressure better than most and given a whiff of a bonus point will assuredly go for it.

Munster: D Crotty; J O'Neill, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; J Staunton, P Stringer; P Clohessy, J Fogarty, J Hayes, M Galwey (capt), M O'Driscoll, E Thorpe, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: J Kelly, K Keane, T Tierney, M Horan, F Sheahan, C McMahon, D O'Callaghan.

Connacht: R Lee; P Duignan, S Stephens, T Allnutt, N Carolan; E Elwood, B Shelbourne; D McFarland, M Uijs, J Screene, R Frost, D Br owne, J Charlie, C Rigney, J O'Connor. Replacements: W Ruane, M Smyth, J Ferris, M Swift, G Schoeman, M Cahill, J McVeigh.

Referee: Tony Redmond (IRFU)

Last five meetings: 1998-99 - Connacht 13, Munster 18; Munster 21, Connacht 7; 1999-2000 - Connacht 17, Munster 67; Munster 53, Connacht 10; 2000-1 - Munster 36, Connacht 13.

Overall meetings: Pl 57, Connacht 4 wins, 2 draws. Munster 51 wins.

Last five interpros: Munster - W W W W W. Connacht - L L L L L.

Odds (Paddy Powers): 11/2 Connacht, 20/1 Draw, 1/10 Munster. (Handicap Connacht +17pts) 10/11 Connacht, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Munster.

Forecast: Munster to win convincingly again, and probably with some more help from the bench.