A Munster match always means a lot, but this one could mean more (HEC that is).
Starting XV: 15 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Gavin Duffy(c), 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion
1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Jason Harris-Wright, 3 Nathan White, 4 Mick Kearney, 5 George Naoupu, 6 Andrew Browne, 7 Willie Faloon, 8 John Muldoon
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 Ronan Loughney, 19 Mick McCarthy 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Paul ODonohoe, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo
Starting XV: 15 F Jones, 14 D Howlett, 13 C Laulala, 12 J Downey, 11 D Hurley, 10 R OGara, 9 C Sheridan
1 D Kilcoyne, 2 D Varley, 3 S Archer, 4 D O'Callaghan, 5 P OConnell, 6 T ODonnell, 7 S Dougall, 8 J Coughlan
Replacements: 16 M Sherry, W du Preez, 18 BJ Botha, 19 B Holland, 20 N Ronan, 21 D Williams, 22 I Keatley, 23 I Dineen
Date: Saturday, 23rd March 2013
Kick-off: 17:45
TV Broadcasts: TG4 Matchday Live
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 56th competition game)
MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD ON THE FORUM
The Connacht team that is set to line out against Munster on Saturday is a strong one, and the bench is stacked with players who will not give anyone cause to unduly worry. The only major flaw is that through injury and resting of players Connacht are forced to start a less than first choice 2nd row pairing of Mick Kearney and George (the No.8 ) Naoupu, instead of the usual Swift and Macca combo.
These two are in the unfortunate position of having to welcome back the Lions and Ireland legend Paul O'Connell who will play alongside his 2nd row colleague of countless caps Donnacha O'Callaghan.
The good news on the injury front however is not just confined to the Munster team however, as Connacht welcome back their young inside center Dave McSharry. McSharry, who just signed a two year extension to his Connacht contract, is a welcome face to those of us who enjoy his hard defense, great direct running and inspired lines. Alongside him in the center is the young Galway man Eoin Griffin who needs to draw the outside defenders into any space given to him by McSharry's runs, to release the danger men outside of him.
The back three of Duffy, Henshaw and Poolman, not only offer a good mix of experience and youth, but they have been converting their try chances of late and must be given the opportunity to do the same against the Men in Red. This opportunity will be brought about in large part if the half back pairing trust their backs to put it to Munster. On occasion Parks has been guilty of playing too conservatively away from home and that might be a good option in a lot of cases, but maybe not in Musgrave Park. Connacht has the edge on the Munster backs and we do not want the contest to descend into an 8 man arm wrestle as Munster are more likely to come out on top. We need Parks to distribute that ball wide and allow our backline to take them on.
Munster have an interesting side, missing quite a few regulars such as Ryan, Earls and Murray due to IRFU restrictions on Irish players, but they also have some old warhorses as well. POC and DOC starting together in the pack could make all the difference in this match up, and with Coughlan in fine form as well Connacht would do well to keep the Munster pack from becoming the center-piece of this contest.
On the bench there is also some experienced heads, including a potentially game-changing Ian Keatley, but an interesting note for Connacht Rugby fans is the inclusion of Cathal Sheridan at scrum half. This young players is a Sligo native and a former U-19 for Connacht, and so his battle with Connacht's Kieran Marmion may have some added spice.
With so few points seperating us from our Southern rivals this match could prove to be one of the most important matches of our season.
