Attention turns to Connacht

HIGH-Flying Munster switch their focus back to the ‘bread-and-butter’ of the Magners League on St. Stephen’s Day when the holders host Connacht at Thomond Park in the first of two inter-provincial fixtures over the festive period (7.30pm).
Saturday’s fixture comes just six days after Munster’s heroic bonus point victory over French champions USAP Perpignan in the Heineken Cup at the Stade Aime Giral which saw Tony McGahan’s men take control of pool one.
Munster’s big name Irish international stars are set to be absent for the St. Stephen’s Day clash with Connacht in Limerick as a result of their hectic playing schedule over the past couple of months in the Magners League, Heineken Cup and the autumn internationals. However, the likes of captain Paul O’Connell, David Wallace, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, Denis Leamy, Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary and Keith Earls are set to return to the squad for the tricky January 2 meeting with Ulster.
Despite the absence of the front-line Irish internationals for the Connacht clash, Munster will be able to field a strong line-up with former Connacht star Paul Warwick and Peter Stringer likely to form the half-back pairing, Jean de Villiers and Lifeimi Mafi in line to fill the centre positions, Denis Hurley at full-back and Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling on the wings. In the pack, Darragh Hurley, Denis Fogarty and Tony Buckley could form the front-row while Mick O’Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan look the most likely second row combination. The back row could feature the likes of Niall Ronan, Nick Williams, James Coughlan and Tommy O’Donnell.
Munster and Connacht shared the spoils in the Magners League encounters between the two last season, but the Westerners have not won on Munster soil since an 11-9 victory at Thomond Park in the Interprovincial Championship on November 22, 1986.
Sixth-placed Munster will be anxious to claim a victory in order to move up the Magners League table and boost their prospects of claiming a semi-final play-off spot.
The Munstermen’s only win in their last four Magners League matches was 24-10 at home to Ulster on October 31. While McGahan’s men have struggled somewhat away from home in the Magners League, the province’s home record is impressive and includes victories in their last 12 home games in all competitions.
Connacht’s only previous away win over a fellow Irish province in the Magners League came in Leinster way back on September 13, 2002.
While recent history may be against them Connacht will also approach the St. Stephen’s Day clash in confident mood.
Michael Bradley’s men have won three of their last four matches in all competitions including back-to-back victories over English Premiership outfit Worcester Warriors in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Connacht are set to include Limerick-born hooker Sean Cronin in their squad for the game. Cronin, an AIL medal winner with Shannon, made his full international debut for Ireland when coming on as a replacement in the autumn international with Fiji at the RDS.
Thomond Park is expected to be full to capacity for the visit of Connacht. More than 20,000 tickets have already been sold for the fixture and the excitement generated by Sunday’s hugely-impressive victory over Perpignan in France looks set to ensure the game is a sell-out.
Meanwhile it has been announced that the Magners League Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May, 29, 2010 with a provisional kick-off of 6.30pm.
The venue for the Grand Final will be determined by the final finishing positions of the four semi-finalists in their regular league campaign.

Colm Kinsella