Pat Lam gets ready for physical Munster challenge

Connacht welcome Munster to the Sportsground on New Year's Day needing a win to keep in touch with the Pro12's top sides, and coach Pat Lam has named seven changes to his starting line up for the fixture.

Ireland international trio Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You all return, with Henshaw slotting in at outside centre to form a formidable midfield partnership with Bundee Aki.

Ah You starts at tighthead and is joined in the front row with Tom McCartney and the returning Denis Buckley, while Eoin McKeon returns from injury to take his place at number eight alongside John Muldoon and Willie Faloon in the back row.

Quinn Roux has returned from an ankle injury which forced him off the field late on during last week's narrow defeat against Ulster and will partner try scorer Aly Muldowney in the second row.

Craig Ronaldson will wear the number 10 jersey, with 100-cap All Black Mils Muliaina starting at full-back, while Darragh Leader shifts to the right wing and Danie Poolman starts on the left.

Ahead of the New Year's Day fixture in Galway, coach Lam alluded to the physical challenge facing his charges, he said: "I've always said that it is so important that we are comfortable adapting our style of play to suit the different conditions and opposition over a long season. Tomorrow we face a very direct and physical Munster side with an excellent kicking game.

“They are undefeated in the interpro games, going back-to-back against Leinster and beating Ulster. Axel (Munster coach Anthony Foley) is doing a terrific job in his first season as head coach and in their performances I have seen the uncompromising, tough and direct style that he was renowned for when I played against him.

“The changes to our own team reflect the game plan we have devised to try and combat the big challenge ahead.”

The return of Henshaw to partner Aki is a significant boon for the men from the West, Lam said: “Having the physicality of Craig (Ronaldson), Robbie (Henshaw) and Bundee (Aki) in the front line will be key to our defence tomorrow.

“And the selection of the back three of Mils (Muliaina), Darragh (Leader) and Danie (Poolman) is directly linked to the quality of Munster’s aerial threat and the tough weather conditions expected.

“It’s been six years since we’ve beaten Munster and only once in the last 41 meetings. We know how big a test this is. It’s going to be a very special atmosphere at a sold out Sportsground and like our supporters, we are all massively excited for this game.”

Connacht: Mils Muliaina; Darragh Leader, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Danie Poolman; Craig Ronaldson, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You, Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon (captain), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, George Naoupu, John Cooney, Miah Nikora, Dave McSharry.