Something has to give in Thomond Park on Saturday afternoon but you would be a brave man to bet against the home side.
Munster have won six games out of six since losing their coach Anthony Foley back in October and they look to make it a magnificent seven against old rivals Leicester Tigers in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup this weekend.
The English giants were, of course, the first visitors to win in the famed Limerick stadium but Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is taking no chances of a repeat, naming his strongest side possible for the visit of the in-form Tigers, who themselves have won six of their last seven matches.
Irish internationals Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Simon Zebo and Conor Murray all return to the starting XV, along with Kiwi pivot Tyler Bleyendaal.
It is a strong looking team, with further Irish internationals Stephen Archer, Jack O’Donoghue and Ian Keatley held in reserve.
Munster XV: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony – capt., Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Thomas Du Toit, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Andrew Conway
Reeling from the news this week that head coach Pat Lam is off to Bristol, Connacht return to the field against another English opponent, Wasps.
The departing Lam can also call on his returning Test stars for Sunday’s trip to Coventry.
Connacht XV: Tiernan O’Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Stacey Ili, Bundee Aki, Cian Kelleher; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Conor Carey; Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux; Nepia Fox-Matamua, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Sean O’Brien, Eoin McKeon, Caolin Blad,e Rory Parata, Peter Robb
Ulster too are back to close to full strength for Saturday’s visit of European thoroughbreds Clermont Auvergne to the Kingspan Stadium.
Here's your team to face @ASMOfficiel tomorrow afternoon. What are your thoughts? #SUFTUM pic.twitter.com/3MpAgcSbki
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 9, 2016
Diarmuid Connolly makes his long overdue GAA Hour debut and talks to Colm Parkinson about everything from the black card to his rivalry with Lee Keegan and how he honed the ability to kick accurately with either foot.
