Rassie Erasmus has named a very positive side for what is likely to be his final interprovincial fixture as Munster’s head coach

John Ryan and Mark Flanagan have been promoted from the bench for the clash with Connacht, with Stephen Archer dropping to the substitutes and Jean Kleyn dropping out of the squad. Flanagan will again partner Billy Holland in the second row, a position where the Cork native has only missed ten minutes of rugby from this season due to a sin binning against Glasgow a few weeks previous.

The back row stays the same as Peter O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander keep their places.

Conor Murray and Ian Keatley continue their half back partnership, with Andrew Conway coming into the side on the right wing for Darren Sweetnam, who drops to the bench. Keith Earls and the departing Simon Zebo make up the back three in what is a very strong side for the trip to Galway

Guinness PRO14 rugby returns this week & the team has been named for Friday night's #CONvMUN https://t.co/n8ImCbM3oJ pic.twitter.com/KqWl9yi0Nq

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 26, 2017

Munster:  Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls, Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Mark Flanagan, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony Capt., Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements:  Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Sean McCarthy, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Darren Sweetnam.