Rugby

Munster focused on URC drive up table when Connacht come to Thomond Park

With 19,000 tickets already sold, Munster will have the crowd behind them and be keen to nail an interprovincial success

Connacht's Bundee Aki will again be in action against their provincial rival. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Linley MacKenzie
Sat May 11 2024 - 06:00
URC: Munster v Connacht,
Thomond Park, Saturday 5.15,
Live on RTÉ 2 and Premier Sports

Home advantage needs to play its part in Munster’s continued drive up the URC table when they host fellow Irish province Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Graham Rowntree’s side, in third place, will already know the outcome of one key game in South Africa where leaders Glasgow are facing fourth-place Vodacom Bulls. And with Leinster confident of victory over Ospreys later in the day, there is little give expected in these top spots.

Huge incentive for both clubs then. Connacht, having closed the gap in recent weeks, are now in the top eight, but they are still far from comfortable, with both Ulster and Benetton sharing the same points.

What Connacht do boast, however, is a solid recent record against Munster, winning four of their last six meetings, including the New Year’s Day outing at Dexcom Stadium. But not in Thomond Park, and there’s the rub. Their only URC win in Limerick was back in 2015 when Bundee Aki scored the winning try.

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Now revelling in his return to the province after his international exploits, Aki will once again be partnered by Tom Farrell, while veteran Tiernan O’Halloran, who also scored in that victory nine seasons ago, retains the fullback berth on Saturday.

Jack Carty returns to outhalf with JJ Hanrahan facing a lengthy period on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury in the recent win over the Dragons. It is a big blow for the former Munster man, whose 89 per cent kicking rate has been key to Connacht’s success this season.

Head coach Pete Wilkins says there is now a “different feel” among the squad as the competition really hots up.

“These are the kind of days you train for and look forward to all year. There is an intensity and an excitement. It is there in every interpro week, but especially this coming so near the end of the season. It doesn’t quite feel like a cup final, but there is a different edge to it.

“We’ve picked a 23 we know can deliver a physical and committed performance from the first minute, because that’s what will be needed. Munster have quality players all over the field and are always a challenge to play in Limerick, but I’m confident in our squad and our game plan that we can give ourselves every opportunity if we play to our potential.”

Craig Casey of Munster returns at scrumhalf. Photograph: Ashley Crowden/Inpho

Crucial to Connacht’s hopes will be their ability to keep in touch and dictate the game, which Wilkins knows will be tough against a Munster side with title aspirations.

“Going away to Thomond Park, you can’t just go with the mindset of staying in the fight, you have to be the aggressor as much as they are, and be proactive, trying to win the ball back quickly, so you are not spending the whole time just allowing them to dictate the style of the game,” he says.

Munster’s incentive is a home quarter-final, and having delivered a comfortable victory over the Lions in South Africa, they are on track.

Rowntree makes only two changes to his side with Craig Casey taking the reins at scrumhalf and Conor Murray moving to the bench, while Alex Nankivell returns for Antoine Frisch in midfield. And it is a significant day for Jack Crowley as he wins his 50th cap for Munster.

With 19,000 tickets already sold, Munster will have the crowd behind them.

Munster’s defence coach Denis Leamy says with three games remaining, it is all about winning. And in addition to the quarter-final incentive, Munster want to nail an interprovincial success.

“Not to be boring, but we respect what is in front of us. We have a big game at home against our closest neighbours,” says Leamy.

“It means an awful lot to both sides and there is an awful lot on the line. We have to deliver a performance that backs up what we have done in the last few weeks.

“We haven’t won an interpro this season — it is in the back of our minds. It will always be a tough game against Connacht. They are well coached and are a team going to be right up there when everything is said and done. We have huge respect for what Connacht will bring.”

MUNSTER: S Zebo; C Nash, A Nankivell, S O’Brien, S Daly; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, N Scannell, S Archer; RG Snyman, T Beirne (capt); P O’Mahony, A Kendellen, J O’Donoghue.

Replacements: E Clarke, M Donnelly, O Jager, T Ahern, G Coombes, C Murray, J Carbery, A Frisch.

CONNACHT: T O’Halloran; S Jennings, T Farrell, B Aki, B Ralston; J Carty (capt), M Devine; P Dooley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Joyce, O Dowling; S Hurley-Langton, C Oliver, P Boyle.

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, J Aungier, N Murray, S Jansen, C Blade, C Forde, J Butler.

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU).

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