RUGBY/ Celtic League news: It will be the first opportunity for David Wallace, since selection took place last Sunday, to show that he warranted inclusion in the 30-man Irish World Cup squad when he lines out on Friday night in what is a particularly strong looking Munster back row.
The Lions and Ireland open side flanker will take to the field with Jim Williams and Denis Leamy as the province seek their second win of the Celtic League against Llanelli Scarlets at Thomond Park.
Wallace did not play in Munster's first match against Leinster last Friday as he was part of the Irish squad that played Scotland at Murrayfield on the same weekend.
Jerry Flannery is set to make his competitive debut as he is named on the starting side at hooker. Flannery returned to his native province this season along with Eoin Reddan and Martin McPhail, having spent two years developing in the Connacht set-up. Reddan is also in the Munster starting line-up at scrumhalf with McPhail named on the bench.
Trevor Hogan, who made his Celtic League debut this time last year against Swansea in Musgrave Park, will partner Eddie Halvey in the second row with the front row bringing together Simon Kerr, Flannery and Martin Cahill.
In the backs, Killian Keane lines out beside Reddan at outhalf, Keane being rewarded for his good work when he came on as a first-half replacement for the injured Jason Holland against Leinster. Jeremy Staunton, scorer of all his side's points in that game, remains at full back.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley has the luxury of being able to name an unchanged side for Saturday's Celtic League clash with Cardiff. Largely injury free, the same 15 who started in the 11-3 victory over Edinburgh at the Sportsground on Saturday will travel to The Arms Park for their first away task. There is one change among the replacements with Fabian Boiroux being called up for the injured Dan McFarland.
Connacht will be bidding to complete a Celtic League hat-trick of victories over Cardiff but will be satisfied with even a modest margin as in two years ago in Cardiff when they won 6-3.
Cardiff went down 23-13 in their opening game of the Celtic League to Glasgow but are sure to be weakened by the news that Craig Quinnell, their second row forward, who was sent-off for stamping in that match last Friday night has been suspended.
Quinell has been given a six-match ban by the Welsh Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee. Under Celtic Rugby regulations any disciplinary case is heard by the union of the player concerned.
Leinster will also benefit from his absence in the team as the Welsh international lock will also miss the Celtic League matches against The Borders, Leinster, Llanelli Scarlets and Neath-Swansea Ospreys as well as the Celtic Cup quarter-finals on October 3rd.
Leinster will not announce their team to face Celtic Warriors at Sardis Road until today.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; C McPhillips, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), W Munn; E Elwood, C Keane; W O'Kelly, B Jackman, A Clarke, D Browne, D Farley, M Swift, D O'Sullivan, M Lacey. Replacements: J Fogarty, F Boiroux, F McCarthy, M Carroll, C O'Loughlin, D Hewitt, T Robinson.
MUNSTER: J Staunton; M Lawlor, M Mullins, J Jones-Hughes, S Payne; K Keane, E Reddan; S Kerr, J Flannery, M Cahill, T Hogan, E Halvey, D Leamy, D Wallace, J Williams (capt). Replacements: M McPhail, C McMahon, F Murphy, S Keogh, D Sheahan, A Long, J Danaher.
