The annual Christmas fixture between Connacht and Munster promises to be another cracker when they two sides meet at the Galway Sportsground on Sunday (December 28 ) at 6p.
Munster travel as European champions, recently crowned Irish Sports Team of the Year, current Magners League table toppers, and of course overwhelming favourites.
Connacht, meanwhile, host this fixture with a worrying list of injuries, as the team that perennially finishes at the opposite end of the league table, and with little recent form to suggest they can overturn a 22 year run of defeats to Munster.
Those are the cold facts. However Connacht can focus on the positives. They are at home in front of a capacity crowd - sold out since early this week - and they have produced winning performances at the Sportsground this season - except against Edinburgh. Most notable of those victories was against fellow Irish province Leinster, and Connacht can draw on that display in which they showed increasing levels of tactical nous, confidence, and crucially pride.
While the record shows an 11-9 victory at Thomond Park on November 22, 1986 was the last occasion Connacht took a Munster scalp, recent results have not been too shabby. There was the enthralling contest at Dubarry Park four years ago when Connacht put Munster’s 14 internationals to the sword before losing 3-0. A year later it was a single Paul Burke penalty that again separated the sides in the festive clash, having forced a 27 - 27 draw earlier in the season at Musgrave Park. 2005 was not as close, and in 2006 Munster prevailed by 14 - 8. Last year it finished 16 - 5. A bonus point at home against such a calibre team is nothing to turn the nose up to, but a win would be something to savour.
Unable to enjoy Munster’s luxury of being able to field two teams, Connacht are struggling with injuries, and as a result Michael Bradley will not name his side until after Christmas. Johnny O’Connor is a likely non-starter for the second week, while it is hoped captain John Muldoon will make a welcome return, as will No 8 Colm Rigney.
The backline, however, is still causing selection headaches, and while there remains a doubt over the availability of new recruit Niva Ta’auso, it is hoped he will be cleared fit. Much is expected of this former Super 14 Otago Highlander, but having been out of action for several weeks with an arm injury, fronting up to the likes of Rua Tipoki and Lifeimi Mafi will test his match fitness. Keith Matthews, Fionn Carr, Troy Nathan, and Liam Bibo are all carrying injuries and Bradley will be keeping his fingers crossed these players are fit for Sunday’s challenge.
Ta’auso must be a certain starter if available, and he is likely to partner Matthews, while also allowing Gavin Duffy to return to fullback. Carr and Bibo are likely choices on the wing - once again if fit - with Keatley and Frank Murphy at halfback.
Expect to see Brett Wilkinson and Robbie Morris in the front row, but the selection of hooker is interesting. Adrian Flavin has performed well in the last two outings to challenge here, while Sean Cronin is a Munster man who may well enjoy confronting his former province. Mike McCarthy and Andrew Farley are likely second-row partners, with Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, and Colm Rigney expected to form the back row.
Munster, of course, have two teams from which to choose, but as always they can be expected to mix it up with a fair sprinkling of heavyweights on the bench if things get tight. Another interesting feature is the selection of outhalf, and will Paul Warwick enjoy a return to his former playing ground?
Whatever team Munster select, the odds are stacked in their favour. And unlike Connacht, who need a good start, Munster have the capacity to come from behind - epitomised by their 23-13 win over ASM Clermont Auvergne earned in the final minutes.
After a strong home performance against Leinster, Connacht will need to reproduce that display and more. They must focus on securing set piece ball at the very least, and then keep possession against a side that has enormous abilities to counterattack. Connacht will produce the type of spirited performance of which they are well capable - that is a must - but they will need to fight and win possession in every facet of the game, tackle like demons, and finish any scoring chances they create. Penalties, mistakes, and a loss of composure will be punished.
It is a tall order and no one would expect anything other than a Munster win at this juncture of the season, but Connacht, however limited in attack at present, are capable of packing a punch and they must do so to ensure this is a tight contest.
