All You Need To Know as Munster seek Pro14 Final berth against Connacht

Munster and Connacht face off in a blockbuster Interpro derby tonight with a huge amount at stake for both sides.

A win for the hosts will see Johann van Graan’s side qualify for this month’s Guinness PRO14 final with two games to spare while a Connacht victory would keep alive the Westerners hopes of overtaking Munster at the top of Conference B.

When?

Friday, March 5 at 7.35pm

Where?

Thomond Park

Broadcast

Live on eir Sport 1, Premier Sports 1, Super Sport (SA), ESPN+ (USA) & pro14.tv.

Teams

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Ben Healy, Craig Casey; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Jack O’Sullivan, Nick McCarthy, Joey Carbery, Damian de Allende.

Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran; John Porch, Tom Daly, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury; Jarrad Butler (C), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Matthew Burke, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Eoghan Masterson, Kieran Marmion, Sean O’Brien, Alex Wootton.

Preview

Munster are nine points clear in Guinness PRO14 Conference B with three games remaining thanks to 11 wins in 13 matches but nearest challengers Connacht have kept in touch with the province mainly thanks to an impressive away record.

Connacht’s form on the road has been eye-catching and their last-gasp victory over Benetton last time out saw the Westerners rack up a record five consecutive away wins.

Uncharacteristically, four of their five defeats this season have come at home but they have picked up losing bonus-points in three of those fixtures to keep in touch with Munster at the top of the table.

Like Munster, Connacht needed a last-minute score to win in Treviso last month as they mauled over for Bundee Aki to score a late winner.

Defeat in Italy would have all but ended their hopes of reaching the PRO14 final on March 27 but that late score gave Andy Friend’s side a vital win and renewed hope ahead of Friday night’s big game in Limerick.

Munster were 16-10 winners when the sides met in Galway back in January having survived a late Connacht onslaught.

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 5th competition game)

Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace, Eoghan Cross (both IRFU)

TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)