Pat Lam and Anthony Foley have both made a host of changes for Saturday’s inter-provincial fixture between Connacht and Munster.
Perhaps improbably, the fixture at Thomond Park is a top-of-the-table clash, with both sides having won six of their opening fixtures and Connacht sitting top of the Pro 12 courtesy of an extra bonus point.
It has been an excellent start to the season for Lam’s men, although their place at the top of the tree has come at a cost with a number of first team players absent for the trip to Limerick due to injury.
However Lam has been able to welcome back Matt Healy, who returns on the left wing, with Tiernan O’Halloran starting on the right and Robbie Henshaw completing the back three with his second start at fullback this term.
AJ MacGinty will marshall the backline in his first Pro 12 start with Kieran Marmion, who signed a new two-year deal with the provicne on Thursday, starting at nine, while the ever-present Bundee Aki is joined in midfield by Craig Ronaldson.
Only two forwards, Eoghan Masterson and Nathan White, have survived from last weekend’s win over Brive in a new-look pack.
Meanwhile Foley has made six changes as his side look to leapfrog Connacht and go top of the league.
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, who featured for Argentina during a World Cup campaign which saw them finish fourth, is set to make his first start for the province on the wing, with Gerhard van den Heever starting on the other.
James Cronin comes in to the frontrow to make his 50th Munster appearance with Neil Scannell starting his first Pro 12 game of the season, while Robin Copeland comes into the backrow.
Tomás O’Leary starts at scrumhald alongside Ian Keatley, while Keith Earls has been switched into the midfield alongside Francis Saili.
Munster: Munster: Andrew Conway; Gerhard van den Heever, Keith Earls, Francis Saili, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino; Ian Keatley, Tomás O'Leary; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, BJ Botha; Donnacha Ryan, Mark Chisholm; CJ Stander, Jack O'Donoghue, Robin Copeland.
Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Dave Foley, Jordan Coghlan, Duncan Williams, Rory Scannell, Denis Hurley.
Connacht: Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O'Halloran, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, AJ MacGinty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Shane Delahunt, Nathan White, Ultan Dillane, Aly Muldowney, John Muldoon, James Connolly, Eoghan Masterson
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, George Naoupu, Sean O'Brien, Ian Porter, Jack Carty, Darragh Leader
