Connacht head coach Pat Lam insists his side will not be getting caught up in any GUINNESS PRO12 derby day excitement, as he seeks a professional performance against rivals Munster.

Despite beating their hosts on Saturday 24-16 back at the Sportsground in Round 12, Connacht have never achieved a season double over Munster, and are without a win at Thomond Park since 1986.

And while Lam admits there is a sizeable task ahead of them, he is hoping that his youngsters can turn their excitement into an accomplished performance.

“We are fully aware that Munster at Thomond Park is a big challenge but we also have the self-belief that if we focus on our game plan and work as a team, we can go down there and perform,” Lam said.

“It's no secret that we've been hit with injuries, especially in certain positions but what it has highlighted is the importance of team work within the squad.

“Younger guys like Eoghan (Masterson) can step up with ease to pick up the role and do their part for the team with confidence.

“Games like this are always big occasions but, for us, there are four points up for grabs and rather than get too caught up in the emotion of a derby game, we want to channel everything into a performance. We're very much looking forward to it.”

Lam has made four changes to the side that went down to a last-gasp 18-17 defeat to Cardiff Blues last time out, with three of those in the back line.

Darragh Leader comes onto the right wing, while scrum-half Kieran Marmion returns for a new half back pairing with Jack Carty, with Craig Ronaldson moving to inside centre.

And up front, academy forward Eoghan Masterson is named at openside flanker for his fifth game this season, joining skipper John Muldoon and No.8 George Naoupu in the back row.

Meanwhile, Munster coach Anthony Foley will not be underestimating his opponents on Saturday, with Connacht still with a lot to play for in the GUINNESS PRO12.

Munster will be desperate to put right a disappointing 26-12 defeat to Ospreys last time out that ended a four-game unbeaten run in the GUINNESS PRO12.

And Foley has rung the changes with five new faces in the line-up this weekend, with John Ryan and Stephen Archer coming in either side of Eusebio Guinazu in a new look front row, and Tommy O'Donnell returning at openside flanker.

Then in the backs Andrew Smith makes his first start since returning from injury, and Simon Zebo also returns to take his spot on the left wing.

Foley said: “Connacht are sixth at the moment in the table. They've beat us up in the Sportsground over Christmas so we understand how good they are.

“We understand where they are in the table and it's important we go out and concentrate on ourselves and make sure we bring out a big performance because we'll need it.”

At Thomond Park, 5.15pm
Live on Sky Sports

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 49th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU )