The teams have been named for one of the biggest PRO12 games in recent memory. Rarely has a PRO12 game late in the season had this much impact on both all of the Irish provinces - as well as the other contenders for a top six place.
The most anticipated match-ups will be at scrum-half with Kieran Marmion trying to challenge Conor Murray for an Ireland place. Ultan Dillane will be facing the province he grew up in, and his duel with Donnacha Ryan which will also have Ireland connotations. It looks like Connacht might have the edge in the scrum, but expect Tommy O'Donnell to give Munster the edge in the back-row. It will be a fascinating contest.
Munster have named close to their strongest available line-up. Johnny Holland continues at out-half in place of Ian Keatley in the biggest selection call for Anthony Foley - but everywhere else the team picks itself. Darren Sweetnam is rewarded for his good form on the wing, and Zebo takes the 15 shirt ahead of Andrew Conway.
MunXV #ConVMun Zebo; Sweetnam, Saili, RScannell, Earls; JHolland, Murray; Cronin, Sherry, Archer; DRyan, BHolland; Stander(c), TO’D, JO’D
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 15, 2016
Replacements #ConVMun NScannell, Kilcoyne, JRyan, Copeland, Coghlan, O’Leary, Keatley, Conway.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 15, 2016
The Connacht side shows a few changes from the team that lost narrowly to Grenoble. Matt Healy reverts back to the wing, moving Robbie Henshaw back to full-back and bringing Peter Robb into the inside centre channel joining Bundee Aki.
Jack Carty makes his return from a long lay-off from a unfortunate injury while on holiday in Dubai. He's on the bench with John Cooney and Fionn Carr. Ireland squad members Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane start in the forwards - but there's no place for fellow call-up Quinn Roux.
Otherwise it's a familiar line-up for Connacht, who have been rated as two-point favourites for the contest in Galway - with most looking at the weather forecast and suggesting it will suit Connacht's quick skilful game.
15 Robbie Henshaw
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Peter Robb
11 Matt Healy
10 Shane O’Leary
9 Kieran Marmion
1 Denis Buckley
2 Tom McCartney
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Eoin McKeon
8 John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16 Jason Harris-Wright
17 Ronan Loughney
18 JP Cooney
19 Andrew Browne
20 James Connolly
21 John Cooney
22 Jack Carty
23 Fionn Carr
Elsewhere, Tommy Bowe makes his return to Ulster action for the first time since his World Cup injury. He starts in a strong looking Ulster side for the game against Zebre where the northerners need as many points as possible to continue their playoff hopes.
See Also: CJ Stander's Stark Admission Shows How Far Munster Have Fallen
Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
