Happy enough with our side. The bench is the strongest its been in a while but its a decent Munster outfit. Munster look strong and have a decent bench but its a winnable game and its time we delivered against Munster. Should go to the wire. Maybe a Dan Parks drop goal to win it to make amends for the Edinburgh game.

I like the look of that team and the bench. We've got a decent 'big game mentality' at home in the past 12 months - very strong performances in all home HEC games since the 9-8 Quins game, and wins in both home interpro's since then. Only 'big' game we've lost was to Quins this season, and no shame in that performance (this Munster side aren't in that class).

I remember Mick O'Driscoll last year - abrasive as ever on the pitch, think he got yellow carded too, and bossing his side into a win. Then generously applauding the home support as he went into the dressing room after the game. Job done, Connacht bet - business as usual for Mick as walked off the Sportsground knowing it was to be the last time. Sickening and impressive to watch at the same time.

If our lads put out another team performance, the usual Munster way of turning up, putting in a solid, professional performance with a weakened side with Donnacha driving them on won't be enough. If that happens, they are going to need to be a lot better than they are used to being in Galway. It's ours to lose IMO.

I know that this fixture has never been great for us but I like the look of our team.

I'm optimistic for tomorrow.

Connacht Rugby resumes their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign tomorrow when they welcome Munster to the Sportsground for the 5:15pm kick off.



Head Coach Eric Elwood has made two changes to the starting XV as Connacht, who have won two of their last three interprovincial encounters, pursue a clean sweep of 2012 home victories against the three other provinces.

The back line remains unchanged while up front, Ronan Loughney makes way for Nathan White who captains the side tomorrow.

Versatile forward George Naoupu will start in the second row alongside Mike McCarthy.

Veteran lock Michael Swift and 22-year-old centre Eoin Griffin have both returned from injury and are named on the bench for tomorrow’s derby clash.

Eoghan Grace, who has captained the Connacht Eagles this season, scoring a try in last weekend’s B&I Cup victory over Cross Keys, is also named on the bench.

Connacht XV

15. Robbie Henshaw

14. Tiernan O’Halloran

13. Danie Poolman

12. Dave McSharry

11. Fetu’u Vainikolo

10. Dan Parks

9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson

2. Jason Harris-Wright

3. Nathan White (captain)

4. George Naoupu

5. Mike McCarthy

6. Andrew Browne

7. Johnny O’Connor

8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements (from):

16. Ethienne Reynecke

17. Denis Buckley

18. Ronan Loughney

19. Michael Swift

20. Eoghan Grace

21. Paul O’Donohoe

22. Matthew Jarvis

23. Eoin Griffin


Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, P Stringer; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, B Holland; P Butler, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan capt.

Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, D Foley, S Dougall, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, D Barnes.


At Sportsground, 5.15pm.
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 26th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, Simon McDowell (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Murray White (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)

Live on TG4

Porterbelly wrote: Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, P Stringer; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, B Holland; P Butler, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan capt. Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, D Foley, S Dougall, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, D Barnes.

Isn't that always the case, you hear they're going to be without half a dozen starters or more, yet they are able to put out a very strong side. Still I like Connacht's chances a lot. Parks needs to rebound and run this game just like he did against Leinster.

thats a decent looking munster team and its a game they really need to win to stay in hunt in pro12. connacht will need to be up for it.

Thank you Creedence

Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, P Stringer; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, B Holland; P Butler, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan capt. Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, D Foley, S Dougall, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, D Barnes.

This is the only time this season I'll say that 'this is a must win'. We have a mental block when it comes to Munster. Time for a paddling.

Wasrednowgreen wrote: What about us Munster born Connacht supporters ?!!!

Alone you don't stand. (As Yoda and John.B Keane's lovechild might say.)

Ya we have to step up to the plate this weekend and add a few munster scalps to our resume, another leinster type mauling would be just the tonic after biarritz away mud wrestling match.

ICI! ICI! C'EST CONNACHT

What about us Munster born Connacht supporters ?!!!

I'd prefere O'Gara to be starting instead of Keatley- believe we'd have better chance

All in all- we should be well capable of winning this

PP have Connacht +6, we were +6 vs Leinster at home and Biarritz at home so let hope bookies have it wrong again

This always seems to be a game where we snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Never seems to be the same belief playing Munster as opposed to Leinster.

There have been a lot of frustrating defeats at home to Munster in recent seasons. With the player management nonsense in force we've got to be looking to win this one. We are unlikely to get much up in Leinster so the squad have to push themselves for a victory here.

Might even turn into a chant :lol:

I think that they should be called consters.

I know a few