CONNACHT HAVE MADE nine changes for the team that beat Brive in the Challenge Cup last weekend  as they get set for their first inter-provincial clash of the 2015/16 Guinness Pro12.

Robbie Henshaw starts at full-back for the second time this season while AJ MacGinty is named in the number 10 shirt for his first PRO12 start and is joined by Kieran Marmion, who this week signed a new two-year deal with the province, at scrum-half.

Matt Healy returns from injury to take his place on the left wing while Tiernan O’Halloran is named on the right.

Craig Ronaldson is promoted from the bench to line out in a midfield partnership with the only player to have started every game this season, Bundee Aki.

In the pack, only two players, Nathan White and Eoghan Masterson, are recalled from last week. Denis Buckley and Academy hooker Shane Delahunt make up the front row with White while Ultan Dillane and Aly Muldowney start together in the second row for the second time this season.

John Muldoon returns to captain the side in a back row with Masterson at 8 and Academy flanker James Connolly who will make also his PRO12 debut in Limerick.

Connacht XV to face Munster

15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Shane Delahunt
3. Nathan White
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. James Connolly
8. Eoghan Masterson

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. George Naoupu
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader

‘It happens every year, it’s just the reality but we want to retain the best players we have’

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