Munster big guns return as Connacht bid for another famous win

Pro14: Connacht v Munster, Saturday January 9th, the Sportsground (kick-off 7.35pm, eir Sport, TG4)

Connacht are on the hunt for famous back-to-back victories when they take on Munster in Galway on Saturday night.

Andy Friend’s side ended Leinster’s 26-match winning run last weekend, as they delivered a stirring performance to run out 35-24 winners at the RDS.

That victory has moved Connacht to second place in Pro14 Conference B - eight points behind leaders Munster, who fell to their first defeat of the campaign away to Ulster last Saturday.

O’Connell’s addition to the coaching ticket a punt worth taking by Farrell

---

Motivated Leinster ready to put the record straight

---

Leinster locked and loaded for crunch Ulster showdown

---

JJ Hanrahan ready for Jack Carty duel as Munster face Connacht

---

A second interprovincial win in a week would represent a huge statement by the men from the West, and Friend has made four changes to his starting XV for the clash at the Sportsground.

Former Australian Sevens star Ben O’Donnell made his Connacht debut off the bench against Leinster, and he lines out on the wing with fullback John Porch and Alex Wootton making up the back three.

Sammy Arnold and Tom Daly resume in midfield, with Jack Carty - man of the match last time out - and Caolin Blade in the halfbacks.

Up front Ireland's Finlay Bealham returns at prop alongside Denis Buckley and hooker Shane Delahunt. Ultan Dillane is also back in the starting XV and joins Quinn Roux in the engineroom.

Sean O’Brien has recovered from injury after six weeks out and starts in the backrow with Conor Oliver and Sean Masterson.

As for the visitors, they were depleted when going down 15-10 in a frozen Belfast last weekend but Johann van Graan has recalled a number of frontline players for the trip to Galway.

Mike Haley starts at fullback, with Ireland stalwart Keith Earls and Shane Daly named on the wings. Springbok Rugby World Cup winner Damien De Allende joins Chris Farrell in a powerful midfield.

Conor Murray returns in the halfbacks alongside JJ Hanrahan,who marshals an impressive looking Munster backline.

James Cronin is set to make his 100th Pro14 appearance at prop, and is joined by Kevin O’Byrne and Stephen Archer in the frontrow.

Jean Kleyn offers ballast in the secondrow with Tadhg Beirne whike Gavin Coombes joins CJ Stander and captain Peter O'Mahony in the backrow.

Hosts Connacht have also confirmed all players and staff have returned negative results in the latest round of coronavirus tests.

Head coach Friend said: “Last week’s win was a testament to the belief and determination that was still present in our squad despite a challenging few weeks. Now it’s all about backing that up and finding another win that will bring us right into contention for a Pro14 final spot.

“We’ve had a very positive week with no news Covid cases and a few players available to us again, but we will still have to be at our best to overcome a Munster side that is full of quality.”

Connacht: John Porch; Ben O'Donnell, Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Alex Wootton; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham; Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux (capt); Sean O'Brien, Conor Oliver, Sean Masterson. Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Matthew Burke, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Kieran Marmion, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Peter Sullivan.

Munster: Mike Haley; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Kevin O'Byrne, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Gavin Coombes, Peter O'Mahony (c), CJ Stander. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland, Nick McCarthy, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.