Munster may be without a win in their last three RaboDirect PRO12 games but flanker Billy Holland is confident the return of the club’s Ireland stars could change that – starting with tomorrow’s visit of Connacht.

Holland’s side head into Saturday’s clash lagging seven points outside the play-off spots and with just five games remaining the 27-year-old knows how vital it is Munster find their winning touch.

So the return to fitness of Paul O’Connell, who starts in the league for the first time since October, to partner Donncha O’Callaghan at the lineout couldn’t be more timely while Ronan O'Gara also returns at half-back.

"It is a hugely driven squad and we know we have let ourselves down up to now," said Holland. "There are a few guys particularly coming back from international duty with a point to prove and they have plenty left in the tank, their drive and passion for this squad is massive and hopefully we will see that this weekend.

"Their level of experience is phenomenal and maybe we lacked a little bit of experience over that last block [of games], we probably just weren't mentally right and that's a shame but the two lads coming back certainly gives us a huge boost.

"They control things, they drive things, they have been for the last ten years and any team in the world will benefit from a Ronan O'Gara and a Paul O'Connell coming back into it."

Munster’s last victory at Musgrove Park was a 30-3 triumph over Edinburgh Rugby on February 9, which followed consecutive home defeats to the Scarlets and the Cardiff Blues.

Opponents Connacht head into the match flying high, however, having won four of their last five PRO12 games including the last three against the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Zebre.

Victory over Munster would make it four in a row in the league for the first time since September 2002, and inflict a first Connacht win on Munster soil since 1986.

Eric Elwood welcomes back Dave McSharry to the starting lineup after he signed a contract extension, where he will partner Eoin Griffin in the centre.

Dan Parks will look to add to his 100 PRO12 points this season at fly-half while Ireland international Mike McCarthy is also in the match day squad and could earn his 150th cap for Connacht if called off the bench.

“This is such an important derby match for us,” said Connacht head coach Eric Elwood. “Munster are going to get some of their big dogs back for this week.

“Obviously they’ll have to rest some of their internationals but it’s still going to be a daunting task for us. We never get anything easy against Munster whether it’s Thomond or whether it’s Cork.

“But the key for us is that we’ve three victories out of our last three games. And we’re going there with a bit of confidence and we’re very much looking to the challenge.

“We had a week off after the Zebre game so then we had a week of training with no game. We got a lot of quality work done last week. And thankfully the squad is healthy enough. We have a decent squad to choose from.”

At Musgrave Park 5.45pm Live on TG4
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 56th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John West (IRFU)