Munster return to Pro14 action with Connacht derby

Munster must get over the disappointing loss to Saracens in the Champions Cup when they make the short trip to Galway to face Connacht in the first interpro of the season.

Johann van Graan will have to make significant changes to his team over the festive period due to an ever-growing injury list and IRFU protocols that will see Munster’s World Cup players rested significantly.

Van Graan’s men sit one point clear of their opponents on Saturday at the top of Conference B of the Pro14 after five victories from their seven games to date. Last time out in the Pro14, Munster were defeated by Edinburgh in Musgrave Park, while Connacht saw off the Kings.

Munster came out victorious on their last visit to the Sportsgrounds in January with Peter O’Mahony, Dan Goggin (twice) and Joey Carbery crossing for the tries in a 31-24 bonus point win.

However, they will be up against it to repeat that result this time around. Tadhg Beirne and John Ryan both suffered what looked to be serious injuries in the defeat to Saracens, while Peter O’Mahony pulled up injured in the warm up.

There could be better news on the horizon with the impending return of Joey Carbery and Dave Kilcoyne, but van Graan is accepting that the coming weeks will see his squad stretched to the limit. There are likely to be further afforded to Academy players in the wake of the injury crisis.

The Munster A team played Leinster last Friday and came away from Donnybrook with a 39-33 victory. Jack O’Sullivan enhanced his growing reputation with two tries, while Alan Tynan also got in for a try.

Munster’s other scores came from two penalty tries and from the boot of out-half Ben Healy. The likes of Healy, O’Sullivan, Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes and Keynan Knox could all see action over the coming weeks.

Van Graan said of his World Cup players that:

“They can only play one of the three games and they have to rest most of the time for two weeks consecutively.”

“That’s the thing about sending our guys to the World Cup. They are going to be out for most of these three weeks.”

“We’re facing Connacht away and we’re facing Ulster away. We’re facing Leinster at home so it is going to be a huge challenge on our squad and our academy.” Connacht v Munster has a 5:15 kick off on Saturday and is live on TG5 and Eir Sport.”