Bradley rings the changes for Thomond clash

Date Published: 24-Dec-2009

Connacht travel to Limerick on St Stephen’s Day with a spring in their step following their comprehensive win over Worcester Warriors in the European Cup over the weekend as they return to Magners League action on Saturday against reigning champions Munster (7.30pm).

Thomond Park historically hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the westerners but in December 2008, Michael Bradley’s charges downed the then Heineken Cup champions with a tenacious hard-fought 12-6 victory at the Sportsground – Connacht’s first win against Munster since 1986.

Connacht dominated the scrum and had a near-perfect lineout in that epic encounter which laid the foundations for out-half Ian Keatley to kick Connacht into the history books with four penalties. In the years leading up to that victory, Connacht were the ‘nearly boys’ in the inter-provincial clashes with the southerners – brave performances that invariable ended in defeat or moral victories were the rule rather than the exception.

But they can look forward to Saturday’s clash with a certain degree of confidence after securing back-to-back victories over English premiership side Worcester.

Connacht’s form on the road in the Magners League is a concern again this year and Saturday will be their toughest Magners away test to date this season, with Munster – written off early in the season as they struggled to regain their composure – on a high after pulling off one of their finest ever European wins at the weekend when they secured an away success and bonus point 37-14 win against French champions Perpignan.

The head-to-head between these sides in this competition isn’t encouraging either, with Connacht winning just once in 14 encounters with Munster and there was one draw. In addition, Munster haven’t lost in their last 12 matches at home and if they can reproduce the performance of Stade Aime Giral, they will blow Connacht apart but last year’s win banishes any fear factor or inferiority complex Connacht may have had facing into clashes with Munster and coach Tony McGahan knows another bruising encounter is in store for his lads.

The Munster clash is the first in an unrelenting schedule over the next four weeks with five massive matches between now and the end of January – Connacht face Leinster in another inter-pro on January 2 at the Sportsground, with the Dragons and Montpellier at home on January 8 and 15 respectively before an away trip to Madrid.

Connacht have no injury worries ahead of the Munster encounter although Bradley has indicated he will re-jig his starting 15 and rotate his squad over the coming weeks. Another positive note on the injury front is Keith Matthews, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for weeks, is expected to be in contention to come back in at inside centre against Munster, replacing Aidan Wynne.

Meanwhile, the Leinster match on January 2 is expected to be sold out and Connacht Rugby has urged supporters to purchase tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.