Connacht head coach Pat Lam believes tomorrow’s interprovincial clash with Munster will prove to be a character-building exercise for his players. A sold-out Sportsground will host the match between second-placed Connacht and sixth-placed Munster, who still have designs on breaking into the top four. Lam has made three changes from last weekend’s European adventure with Academy graduate Peter Robb set for his sixth appearance of the season alongside Bundee Aki in midfield. Lock Aly Muldowney and flanker Eoin McKeon also come into the side, while a reshuffle has Guinness PRO12 top try scorer Matt Healy starting on the wing and Robbie Henshaw named at full-back. Lam said: “Aly and Eoin come in for us on Saturday and will bring fresh legs and energy having not travelled to France last week. “It’s another big challenge tomorrow but we’re very excited by it. “We have a lot of respect for Munster and what they have achieved. “I have no doubt that as a province with huge history and pride they will come here with intensity and focus. “We will need to continue to channel our work ethic and physicality into our team structures to get the valuable points on offer. "With the weather promising to hold up, it’s set up to be a cracker of a game, the sort of rugby you want to be playing in front of a big crowd at this time of the season. “While we have a lot of young and less experienced players in our side, these are exactly the type of games that will accelerate their continued development and progression as Connacht and Irish rugby players.” Full-back Simon Zebo is set to make his 100th appearance for Munster, who have made three changes to their side. Hooker Mike Sherry starts alongside James Cronin and Stephen Archer. Jack O’Donoghue coming has been thrown the No.8 shirt, so captain CJ Stander plays at flanker. And Darren Sweetnam gets the nod on the right wing, with Keith Earls on the opposite flank. Earls said: “It’s win or bust now. “We are not ruling out the top four in the league and a place in the knock-out stages and if not, then we must qualify for Europe because it would be a long season if we are not there next year. “That’s where Munster wants to be, playing in front of full houses in Thomond Park on big European days. “Anything else is really scary.” At Sportsground, 7.15pm Live on TG4 and Sky Sports Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 22nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, Nigel Correll (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eddie Wigglesworth (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) To buy tickets for the Guinness PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the Guinness PRO12.
