Connacht will be facing the weight of history when they travel to Munster this weekend but Pat Lam insists they have to start picking up results on the road in Irish derbies. Currently top of the GUINNESS PRO12, the Galway side are enjoying a glorious start to the season, with just one loss in all competitions. That came by a single point away at Glasgow back in September but a win on the road at Thomond Park would be another step up. Connacht have not won in Limerick since the start of the professional era, but can stretch their lead at the top of the table with a victory. And despite some injury absences, including Nepia Fox-Matamua and Dave McSharry, Lam is making no excuses. “We have a good plan in how we can beat this team and making sure that everyone does their jobs. If we do that, then history takes care of itself,” said Lam. “It’s not something that we pay attention to, because it’s a long way to go. Top of the table now means nothing until you’re near the top come May. “We were there in that top four and the top six last year too and we fell away at the end, so we know that to look at it now is foolish. Our focus is to look at this game as purely four points, and two teams have a chance to get that four points.” Despite the injuries, Connacht have named a strong team, with nine changes, including a first GUINNESS PRO12 start for AJ MacGinty at fly-half. He will link up with scrum-half Kieran Marmion, who signed a new deal with the club this week, while John Muldoon returns to captain the side at flanker. For Munster there are six changes from the team that beat Benetton Treviso in the Champions Cup including a first start for Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino. James Cronin will make his 50th appearance as one of two changes in the front row, along with Niall Scannell while Robin Copeland comes in at No.8 meaning a switch to blindside for CJ Stander. Having rung the changes, coach Anthony Foley is expecting a tough test from Connacht, but insists the focus has been on his own team. And with potential international match-ups added into the equation, he feels there will be plenty of players looking to prove a point. “When you are going up against teams that are on that type of form you try and concentrate on yourself and make sure you are up for the challenge," Foley told RTÉ Sport. “Hopefully that’s the way our mindset is. “These local derbies provide fellows with cases for international call-ups or even turn Joe Schmidt’s head their way and fellows are up for them on both sides. “It’s 1 v 2 this weekend. They’ve backed up what they did last year and have had a great start to the season. They’re obviously the form side in the competition. “They’ve had their travel to Russia and they’ve come back and beaten Brive at home. They’re in good form and they’ve a lot of very good players. “We want to maintain our run at home.” At Thomond Park, 5.15pm. Live on Sky Sports Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 13th competition game) Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU) TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)
