After the European break, the Guinness PRO14 returns on Friday night as Munster head to Galway to take on Connacht in their second inter-pro of the season. The all-Conference A clash at the Sportsground is a good chance for both sides to build momentum after strong European fortnights. What’s at stake? Munster Rugby are unbeaten after the first two rounds of European Champions Cup play, however in the Guinness PRO14 they have lost two of their last three encounters. They still sit second in Conference A but will be put to the test by a Connacht side who won back-to-back games in the Challenge Cup over the last two weeks. However domestically, the 2016 champions are struggling with only one win to their name this season and currently sitting sixth out of seven in the Conference. Team news (Connacht): John Muldoon returns to captain the side with Kieran Marmion, Ultan Dillane, Finlay Bealham, Tom McCartney, Tom Farrell, Jarrad Butler and Cian Kelleher also coming into the starting team. Tiernan O’Halloran starts at full-back with Darragh Leader and Kelleher on the two flanks. Farrell joins Bundee Aki in the centre as Marmion and Jack Carty form the half-back partnership. Bealham, McCartney and Denis Buckley make up the front row with Dillane and James Cannon in the second row. Muldoon’s return sees him wear the No.8 jersey with Eoin McKeon in at blindside and Butler at openside. Niyi Adeolokun is named in the matchday 23 for the first time this season as he returns from injury. Team news (Munster): Rassie Erasmus makes three changes to the Munster side that downed Racing 92 in Europe last time out. In the front five John Ryan and Mark Flanagan are promoted from the bench this week, with Ryan joining Dave Kilcoyne and Rhys Marshall in the front row as Flanagan links up with his second row partner Billy Holland once again. The only change to the backline is a straight swap as Andrew Conway takes the place of Darren Sweetnam to start on the wing, joining Keith Earls and Simon Zebo in the back three. Talking points: The news that Simon Zebo will leave Munster at the end of the season broke this week. The Ireland winger looks set to head for France next season but is keen to leave the club on a high. “As much as I will miss everything about this place – the players, staff, supporters and friends for life – I know there are many more special nights in Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park to be had,” he said. “I will continue to enjoy wearing my jersey with pride and will give my all in making sure Munster are successful this season.” Elsewhere, the transition from Rassie Erasmus to Johann van Graan as director of rugby continues while in Galway Kieran Keane is hoping his side can pass their acid test against their rivals. “The players all want to play in them and I’m as excited as much by the occasion as they are,” he said. “I think it is a great thing that six of the 21 games in the PRO14 are derby games because anyone who is hoping to get a green shirt, this is the forum to shine in.” Key Battle: Rory Scannell v Bundee Aki Bundee Aki has finally qualified for Ireland on residency grounds and has been tipped by many to feature for his country this autumn. The Connacht centre will line up in the No.13 shirt this weekend in Galway but can shift across to inside centre. One of his rivals for the Ireland centre berth appears likely to be Munster’s Rory Scannell who has caught the eye again at the outset of the new campaign. The two will go head to head under the Friday night lights, so expect sparks to fly. Key Stat: Connacht have lost their last six encounters with their fellow Irish provinces since beating Ulster in Galway last October. Did you know? Munster achieved the season’s double over Connacht last year reversing the trend of the 2015/16 campaign – the last six meetings between the two provinces have been evenly split with three wins apiece. Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Darragh Leader, Bundee Aki, Tom Farrell, Cian Kelleher, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Ultan Dillane, James Cannon; Eoin McKeon, Jarrad Butler, John Muldoon (Capt) Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Denis Coulson, Conor Carey, Quinn Roux, Eoghan Masterson, Caolin Blade, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls, Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Mark Flanagan, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony Capt., Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Sean McCarthy, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Darren Sweetnam TV: TG4, (KO 7:35pm) Match officials – Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU), AR1: David Wilkinson (IRFU), AR2: Frank Murphy (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
