Top of the table clash.
Brought to you by eir Sport.
Connacht welcome Munster to the Sportsgrounds with the two provinces enjoying similar seasons to date. Just one point separates the two rivals at the top of Conference B, while both teams face uphill battles to make it out of their Champions Cup pools in 2020.
Munster managed to leave the Sportsgrounds with a rare away interpro win last year, and there’s no doubt that the Western province will be keen to exact revenge as they enter a crucial period for their season’s hopes.
As is the case with away sides in these clashes, it’s a slightly different Munster side, with 10 changes from the one that lost out to Saracens away from home in the Champions Cup last weekend. Four academy players make the matchday 23, one of those Liam Coombes makes his fourth Pro 14 appearance, while his cousin Gavin Coombes starts for the first time. CJ Stander captains the side from 8, while JJ Hanrahan takes the reins at 10. Craig Casey takes the scrumhalf spot for his first start, while Dave Kilcoyne packs down after coming back from injury.
📢 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT@CraigCasey9 will make his first Guinness PRO14 start for Munster away to Connacht tomorrow with four Academy players included in the squad.@CJStander captains the team with 10 changes to last week's side.
Full details ⬇️ #CONvMUN #SUAF 🔴
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 20, 2019
Connacht, on the other hand, have selected a strong outfit as they look to displace Munster at the top of the table. After his try-scoring heroics against Gloucester last weekend, Robin Copeland drops to the bench, while Quinn Roux captains the side in what is his 100th appearance for the Western province. He packs down with a strong tight five that includes Irish internationals Finlay Bealham and Quinn Roux. Conor Fitzgerald and Caolin Blade continue their impressive partnership in the half backs, with Jack Carty’s woes continuing as he once again takes the 22 jersey.
📢 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 📢
Here is the Connacht squad for tomorrow’s #GuinnessPRO14 interpro with @Munsterrugby, captained by @QuinnRoux on his 💯th appearance 🟢👏
Last few tickets on sale at https://t.co/B0LoU5jQjl#CONvMUN #StrongerInGreen pic.twitter.com/vSiQaxM6F5
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) December 20, 2019
The game is live on eir Sport 1 from 4:30pm on Saturday.
