MUNSTER BOSS JOHANN van Graan has recalled Chris Farrell and Peter O’Mahony for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 inter-provincial clash with Connacht in Galway [KO 7.35pm, eir Sport/TG4/Premier Sports].
Outside centre Farrell has been sidelined in recent weeks with a frustrating thigh injury, while captain O’Mahony was absent from last weekend’s win over Leinster due to the IRFU’s player management programme.
In total, van Graan has made seven changes to the side that beat Leinster, with Tommy O’Donnell, Alex Wootton, Alby Mathewson, Jeremy Loughman and Arno Botha also coming into the starting XV.
Andrew Conway moves to fullback, with Keith Earls switching over to the right wing from the left, where Wootton starts, while Dan Goggin shifts to inside centre from the 13 shirt to accommodate the fit-again Farrell.
Joey Carbery continues at out-half, with Mathewson in for Conor Murray, who drops to the bench.
Loughman joins Ireland internationals Niall Scannell and John Ryan in the front row, while Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne continue in the locking department.
With CJ Stander among the substitutes, Botha starts at number eight with O’Mahony and O’Donnell completing the back row.
Van Graan can call on a strong bench at the Sportsground too, with Kevin O’Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Tyler Bleyendaal and Sammy Arnold all named as replacements alongside Stander and Murray.
Munster (v Connacht):
15. Andrew Conway
14. Keith Earls
13. Chris Farrell
12. Dan Goggin
11. Alex Wootton
10. Joey Carbery
9. Alby Mathewson
1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Arno Botha
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Stephen Archer
19. Billy Holland
20. CJ Stander
21. Conor Murray
22. Tyler Bleyendaal
23. Sammy Arnold
Referee: Mike Adamson [SRU].
Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Andy Dunne look back on a busy festive period for the provinces in this week’s Heineken Rugby Weekly.
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Even though I’m a Leinster man I’m looking forward to watching this game with my Ireland hat on. Always interested to see Carbury start but especially looking forward to watching Farrell at 13 (im a huge fan) and Conway at fullback. I still don’t think Joe is certain of our 2nd choice 15 should Kearney get injured but it might be Conway. Personally I’d like to see Henshaw given some time there before the World Cup because I think that Aki is at least as good at 12 but Joe doesn’t seem to be looking at that.
But yeah, looking forward to seeing Carbury and Farrell in particular and also Conway.
That’s a team to beat Connacht
@Jim Demps: Should play some good rugby too
@Jim Demps: Wrong, team to put up a fight but ultimately succumb to pressure.
Strong team , nice to see Tommy o Donnell back , especially after Chris cloete injury last week. Big January ahead
Good strong team named. Really hope Farrell can stay injury free as I think he may be the key to help get our backline moving. fullback is Conway’s best position I believe.
Strong team and bench Munster should win this one.
This game should be a cracker, so many exciting 1 on 1 battles. That Munster backline is so strong considering the changes made. The sr battle will be titanic and Boyle going up against Pom is a big test but I am sure he’s really looking forward to proving his credentials. Great to see TOD back please please let the man stay fit he’s a super player for Munster. Looking forward to watch Carty vs joey, so many interesting individual duals. Let’s up the Galway weather behaves and we have some scintillating rugby.
Would have liked to have seen Coombes on the bench and CJ rested altogether. Nice looking team though.
Very interesting Munster team and very strong bench. This is definitely one we can win.
Great to Farrell and TOD back heading into some huge games. While I realise this is an important game with as a derby and with Connacht so close, but would have liked to have seen more gametime the likes of Coombes, Johnston, Daly, Cronin and Oliver over the Christmas fixtures. Wycherley’s experience against Leinster will really stand to him going forward.
Great to see everyone writing off Connacht, especially after their recent form.
@David OShea: Recent form like throwing away a 17 point lead with 11 minutes to play? ;) It’ll be a close enough game, but if Munster turn up, they’ve the power to win it. All depends on which Munster turn up though.
@David OShea: You’re in absolute Dreamland if you think Munster management and team are writing off Connacht. This powerful starting selection and bench tells us everything we need to know about how seriously Munster are taking Connacht.
If anything, I’ve seen huge confidence only come from Connacht supporters, and IMO deservedly so with Connacht’s previous impressive wins, they are definite favourites to win.
Strong team from Munster. I think the team functions better in attack with two big centres as it gives Carbery easier targets to hit and quick front-foot ball. Himself and Scannell get a bit muddled at times deciding who’s the playmaker off the next ruck. Another good performance from Goggin and he’ll be hard to ignore come the European games.
Has Ian “Keats” Keatley dropped off the face of the planet? Not seen him feature in ages.
@Treaty Bhoy: he’s playing junior
According to my munster mates, expecting a bp win as connacht missing “their only player”
@mark m: with Munster’s very poor away record this season, and Connacht’s impressive home-record, I can see nothing but a very straightforward Bonus Point win for Connacht myself.