News

Preview: Connacht v Munster

Thursday 27th March 2008

Andrew Farley will captain Connacht

Michael Bradley has made three changes to his side as well as three positional switches for Connacht's Magners League clash with Munster at the Sportsground on Friday.

Andy Dunne starts at fly-half in a reshuffled backline, which sees Keith Matthews move to inside centre.

Mel Deane moves to outside centre and Matt Mostyn moves to the right wing.

In the forwards, Brett Wilkinson starts once again at loosehead prop and David Gannon starts alongside captain Andrew Farley in the second row for the first time since January.

More to follow...

Form: Connacht have lost their last three matches in the Magners League since a 20-18 victory at home to the Scarlets on 4 January. Connacht have won just one of their last 24 games against fellow Irish provinces since March 2004: 22-12 over Ulster in Galway on New Year's Eve 2005.
Munster have won three of their last four games in the Magners League. Munster have also won six of their last seven encounters against fellow Irish provinces. Connacht have not beaten Munster since an 11-9 victory at Musgrave Park in the Irish Interprovincial Championship on 22 November 1986.

The Teams:

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Matt Mostyn, 13 Mel Deane, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 D Riordan, 10 Andy Dunne, 9 Conar O'Loughlin, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Andrew Farley (C), 4 David Gannon, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Andrew Flavin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 John Fogarty, 17 Brian McGovern, 18 Andrew Browne, 19 Liam Casserly, 20 Connor McPhillips, 21 Troy Nathan, 22 Darren Yapp.

Munster: tbc

Date: Friday 28 march
Venue: Sportsground
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Touch judges: Colin Stanley (Ireland), Eanna O'Dowd (Ireland)
Television match official: Michael Black (Ireland)
Assessor: Brian Stirling (Ireland