Connacht Clash Awaits

Get the pre-match stats and the thoughts of Ian Keatley and Jerry Flannery as Munster prepare to face Connacht in round 12 of the Guinness PRO12 at the Sportsground on New Year’s Day.

No doubt buoyed by the round 11 victory against Leinster on St Stephens Day, Munster will require a similar performance at the very least if they are to continue winning ways this week as Connacht look to maintain their unbeaten home record in Galway this season.

Following successive league defeats against inter-provincial rivals Leinster and Ulster in the past two weeks, Connacht will not want to flounder on home soil and having remained in 6th place for the last five rounds, four points from a win would help maintain their challenge of making the Play-Offs.

Munster have lost their last two away games in all tournaments but have not lost three in a row on the road since March 2013 and will take confidence from winning their last three contests with fellow Irish provinces.

Himself a former Connacht player, Munster Scrum Coach Jerry Flannery knows another tough challenge lies in store on Thursday.

“I was used to going up there when I did some work with TG4 and I always really enjoyed going to Connacht because I felt there was a really good atmosphere in the Sportsground and I think that’s built on the fact that they’ve been bringing through more and more local players that people can identify with.

“The crowd really gets behind them and they have a really good young nucleus of a squad, with the majority of them being lads who played with Connacht underage and they’ll be looking to hold on to those players and kick on and challenge for silverware.

“We’re aware that this is a real challenge. I know from playing there and when working for TG4 that the people who go to watch Connacht don’t just go to be entertained, they go because they want their team to win and they get behind them no matter what. It can be quite an intimidating place.”

Another former Connacht player and current Munster out half Ian Keatley looks forward to a return to the western province.

"When I was there Connacht were talking about building their own legacy and they have really stepped it up this year. They are undefeated at home, which shows how strong they are, and they will have their 16th man behind them on New Year's Day which will create a great atmosphere.

"I'm going back to where it kind of all started for me. I'm looking forward to it. We got a good win over Leinster and we are hoping to build on that."

Connacht v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 12, Thursday January 1st at The Sportsground – KO 5pm.

This game will be televised live on TG4.