Munster will visit the Sportsground on Thursday boasting a fearsome record against their hosts, but Connacht head coach Pat Lam is not shying away from the task at hand.

Lam’s side are unbeaten at home this season but defeats at Leinster and Ulster in their last two GUINNESS PRO12 outings leave Connacht facing the prospect of three straight reversals at the hands of their inter-provincial rivals.

To make matters worse, they have recorded just one victory against Munster in their last 41 encounters, a record that dates back to 1986.

Munster have suffered just one defeat in their last seven GUINNESS PRO12 clashes but they have lost their last two away matches in all competitions – and Lam is seeking to make it three.

“It has been six years since we've beaten Munster and only once in the last 41 meetings,” he said. “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.

“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.”

That adaptation is reflected in seven changes to the starting XV that was narrowly beaten at Ulster’s Kingspan Stadium last Friday.

The international trio of Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You all return, while All Black centurion Mils Muliaina starts at full back and Darragh Leader moves to the right wing with Danie Poolman on the left.

Craig Ronaldson is handed the reins at out-half, while second row Quinn Roux returns from the ankle injury that forced him to withdraw late in Belfast last week and Eoin McKeon has recovered from injury to take his place at No.8.

Munster are also much-changed from the side that beat Leinster last time out, with international trio Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony and Simon Zebo all named in the starting line-up – and O'Mahony back to captain the side.

In the front row BJ Botha trades places with Stephen Archer and packs down next to John Ryan and Duncan Casey, while Billy Holland will make his 100th appearance for Munster in the second row.

Elsewhere CJ Stander makes the positional switch to No.8 and JJ Hanrahan starts at 12 for the second time in as many weeks.

And prop Ryan, who makes his sixth GUINNESS PRO12 start on the bounce, is hoping to keep capitalising on the absence of fellow loose-heads James Cronin and Dave Kilcoyne.

He said: “Living up to Jamesy and Dave is a lot of pressure but I love it. There's nothing better than playing.

“Jamesy took his opportunity and Kilcoyne has been going strong for a few years. It's my time now hopefully.

“They'll be coming back in the next month and I have to make sure that I do enough and put my hand up and take a jersey for myself.”

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At The Sportsground, 5pm. Live on TG4
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 32nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)