Munster could top the table with a win on the final Saturday of the regular season as they welcome 2016 Guinness PRO12 champions Connacht to Thomond Park. The Munstermen will look to lengthen their five-game winning streak in this Super Saturday provincial derby, while Connacht seek a strong end to the season after recent losses to Scarlets and Leinster. What’s at stake? A home semi-final is a certainty for Munster for only the second time in the last seven seasons, but a win could see them replace Leinster as top seed going into the knock-out stages should the Dublin side lsoe to Ulster. A win for the visitors would be a confidence boost going into the European Champions Cup play-offs, after winning two of their last six games in the PRO12. Connacht’s last win was against Edinburgh at the start of April, but if they can claim a bonus-point victory in Limerick, they will draw level in the table with seventh-place Cardiff Blues. Munster team news: Rassie Erasmus makes eight changes to his side, bringing Billy Holland back in to captain the side from the second row – he packs down next to Darren O’Shea. The front row of James Cronin, Rhys Marshall and Stephen Archer is unchanged and Jean Deysel returns at blindside flanker after suffering a rib injury, joining Conor Oliver and Jack O’Donoghue in the back row. In the half-backs, Ian Keatley makes his 150th appearance for the province and pairs up with Angus Lloyd. Dan Goggin comes into the midfield alongside Jaco Taute and there is a new back three of Keith Earls, Alex Wootton and Andrew Conway, while Conor Murray is named on the bench for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury in Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales in March. Connacht team news: Pat Lam’s match day 23 sees 11 changes, with a new front row of Conor Carey, Denis Buckley and Shane Delahunt making the trip to Limerick. In the second row, Andrew Browne is one of the few retained from the starting XV that faced Scarlets last weekend and pairs up with Quinn Roux, with Eoin McKeon, James Connolly and captain John Muldoon in the back row. Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion are the half-back pairing and link up with Tom Farrell and Craig Ronaldson in midfield, while Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman and Cian Kelleher make up the back three. Talking points: Connacht director of rugby Pat Lam believes multiple squad changes could bring victory for his side in a challenging derby. He said: “With this being our final game before the European play-off, there is no question that we need an improved performance in Limerick tomorrow. “With quite a few changes from last weekend, it’s an opportunity for those guys selected to drive that improvement. “Winning only once in 29 years in Thomond Park emphasises the challenge we face tomorrow. “With the way Munster are playing as a team this season, there is no doubt that challenge has got even tougher. “At the end of the day it’s a derby game with a lot on the line for both teams and we’re really looking forward to it.” Lions Watch: The Munster replacements are especially strong this week with two British & Irish Lions among them – Conor Murray is set to play at Thomond Park for the first time since March and back row Peter O’Mahony is poised to make an impact from the bench. Key battle: Keith Earls v Cian Kelleher With Niyi Adeolokun injured, it is up to 22-year-old Cian Kelleher to match Keith Earls’ flair on the wing in what could be a high-scoring game at Thomond Park. The improved weather conditions at this end of the season will suit Earls, who has proved himself to be a natural-born finisher for both club and country. But Kelleher may take the chance to show his worth when faced with world-class competition and secure Connacht one last Guinness PRO12 win before the season ends. Key stat: Connacht have become just the third reigning PRO12 Champions to have failed to make the emi-finals in the year of their defence, the others being Ospreys in 2012 and Leinster in 2014 Did you know? Last season Connacht won at Thomond Park for the first time since 1986. Munster top points scorer: Tyler Bleyendaal 126 Top try scorer: Ronan O’Mahony 9 Connacht top points scorer: Jack Carty 70 Top try scorer: Niyi Adeolokun 6 Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 29, Munster won 24, Connacht won 4 and 1 game drawn. At Thomond Park, 5.15pm Live on TG4 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 51st competition game) Assistant Referees: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU), Mark Patton (IRFU). Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU) TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU).
