Munster hooker Mike Sherry insists Connacht will be no push-overs when his side travel to the Sportsground on Saturday, claiming their reputation as the poor relation is an out-dated one.

Sherry and co will be desperate to get back to winning ways after going down to Saracens in the Heineken Cup last weekend while Connacht have won just one of their last five RaboDirect PRO12 matches.

Munster have won three of their last four PRO12 games, whilst the Munstermen’s solitary away victory since the opening weekend was 24-18 at Cardiff Blues on November 2.

But Connacht have an impressive record over Irish opposition and have won two of their last three encounters with fellow provinces, even if they have defeated Munster just once since 1986.

Sherry, however, who has caught the eye with a string of impressive performances in the RaboDirect PRO12, is adamant Munster will not be taking their opposition lightly.

“They were viewed once upon a time as the whipping boys but not anymore. Heading there is difficult and we know we're in for a right battle,” the 24-year-old told the Irish Independent

“Our set-piece has to be good and our desire has to be there, we have to want it more than them.

“It's brilliant to see them winning big games in Europe and getting a foothold in the competition. “Unfortunately they couldn't back up (the win over Biarritz) but the conditions they had to play in were atrocious.

“It's always tough going up there.”

Munster have made ten changes in total to the side that lost out to Saracens with centres Casey Laulala and James Downey, Sherry, second row Donncha O’Callaghan and No 8 James Coughlan the only survivors.

Coughlan, who won his 100th cap in Vicarage Road last Sunday, leads the side that also features Denis Hurley, Tommy O'Donnell and Sean Dougall, who have all recovered from injury.

Connacht are also looking to get back to winning ways having crashed 17-0 to Biarritz last weekend, a week after defeating the French side on home soil.

Connacht make just two changes with the back line remaining unchanged and up front, Ronan Loughney makes way for Nathan White who captains the side and George Naoupu joins Mike McCarthy in the second row.

And head coach Eric Elwood is only too aware that improvements must be made.

“We want to bounce back in this big derby match," Elwood told the Irish Examiner.

"When you play Munster you have to go toe to toe, and for us to do that we need to be able to choose from a near full squad.

"We know what is coming and what to expect so it's a good fixture for us to get, especially at home.

"We are looking forward to improving again on our intensity levels from last week because when you are playing a powerhouse like Munster, you certainly need to match them physically and have a level of intensity to your game."

At Sportsground, 5.15pm.
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 26th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, Simon McDowell (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Murray White (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)

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