No messing around from Axel here
Anthony Foley has loaded his Munster team with as many big names and internationals he can find ahead of their Guinness PRO12 date with Connacht on New Years Day. Peter O’Mahony will captain a strong Munster side that contains Paul O’Connell and Simon Zebo, with Pat Howard and JJ Hanrahan forming an interesting midfield duo.
MUNSTER XV: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Pat Howard, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Billy Holland, Paul O’Connell; Peter O’Mahony (c), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: O’Byrne, Guinazu, Archer, Donncha O’Callaghan, Dave O’Callaghan, Cronin, R Scannell, Dineen.
Lam drafts in Ireland internationals Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You while selecting Darragh Leader on the right wing and Craig Ronaldson at out-half. John Muldoon captains the team from blindside and Eoin McKeon returns from injury to start at No.8.
Lam says, ‘We (will) face a very direct and physical Munster side with an excellent kicking game. They are undefeated in the interpro games, going back-to-back against Leinster and beating Ulster. Axel is doing a terrific job in in his first season as head coach and in their performances I have seen the uncompromising, tough and direct style that he was renowned for when I played against him.’
CONNACHT XV: Mils Muliaina; Darragh Leader, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Danie Poolman; Craig Ronaldson, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You; Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney; John Muldoon (c), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, George Naoupu, John Cooney, Miah Nikora, Dave McSharry
Munster rediscovered their form, on the back of three defeats in a row (two against Clermont), by making short work of Leinster at Thomond Park. They can retake top spot in the league by claiming successive interprovincial victories.
Connacht’s winning run of four games was recently ended by Leinster, at the RDS, and they could only claim a losing bonus point from a trip to Belfast to take on Ulster on December 26. Pat Lam’s men began the season with a top-six finish in mind but a win over Munster may see them reassess and target the PRO12 semi-finals in 2015.
The game at The Sportsground is a sell-out but will be available on TG4 on New Years Day with kick-off at 5pm.
