European campaigns give way to local rivalries this weekend, with Thomond Park playing host to the happier half of Irish rugby.
On Saturday it’s first in the PRO12 versus second as Connacht – unbeaten in the Challenge Cup – take on Munster, who beat Treviso in their one Champions Cup game.
The Western rivals are in far better nick than Ulster and Leinster, who face off at the RDS on Friday night on the back of some damaging European defeats.
Looking down on their rivals for a change from the top of the table, Connacht captain John Muldoon insists Pat Lam’s men could not be more fired up for a game.
“It’s a derby game, I don’t think there’s any issue with physicality and getting yourself up for the game. From our point of view, we’re going to try and calm things down and just say, ‘listen, it’s another game and an opportunity to get four points,” said Galway born Muldoon.
“They had a week off last weekend, we’re a bit behind the eight ball. We’ve to clear up a few injuries, they had a couple last week and have had time to get right. It’s just another game for us, it’s about getting our things right.
“You chuck in the fact that it’s a derby game, that it’s top of the table and that reads well, it looks well. But from our point of view, nothing changes. We just go down and do our stuff right and hopefully we come out with a good result.
“History tells us that won’t be the case, so everything’s stacked against us,” said the captain.
League leaders Connacht have won eight of their nine games this season and lead Saturday’s hosts by a point in the standings ahead of this game, but Lam’s side have never won at the Limerick venue in the professional era.
With Munster’s Champions Cup clash with Stade Francais falling by the wayside due to circumstances in the French capital, Connacht’s exertions in returning from Siberia and then beating Top 14 high flyers Brive last weekend might see them behind in their preparation.
However coach Lam says his side are hoping to ignore Connacht’s poor record against Munster at Thomond Park.
“I think we never look at records, what we look at is the opportunity we have this week. There’s four points on the line, it’s another game, an opportunity to play as a team,” said Lam.
“We go with a lot of confidence, we understand it’s always been a tough fixture for us. Munster’s had a week off, they’re pretty fresh. So, everything we do is about playing rugby come Saturday, about playing the match. We’re looking forward to that.
“The outcome will be determined by the work that we do every day here. We had a good day yesterday, a good review, the boys just put in a pretty tough unit session and we’ve another one this afternoon.
“The confidence comes from the work we do, day in, day out in the Sportsground,” said the Connacht coach.
Life Style Sports, official sponsor to Connacht Rugby, today launched a limited edition Connacht Green Lantern jersey that will be worn on November 28 against Munster.
