So Andy Farrell opted to play safe last weekend with his selection against Scotland?

So Andy Farrell opted to play safe last weekend with his selection against Scotland? Really?

Billy Holland will make his 200th appearance for Munster when he lines out against Connacht in Saturday’s crucial Guinness PRO14 game at the Galway Sportsground.

Sold out two weeks ago, this final round of the Guinness PRO12 at the Galway Sportsground is unprecedented territory for Connacht.

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Leinster 16 Munster 13: With the clock on 79 minutes and 49 seconds a snap poll of not just Leinster’s supporters but the province’s players and coaches as well would have seen the vast majority settle for a draw in this typically tight Guinness Pro12 battle with rivals Munster.

A massive litmus test awaits Connacht this evening when they host Leinster at the Galway Sportsground (5.15pm).

Zebre 34 Connacht 51: Connacht are preparing to step it up as their season becomes considerably tougher with the visit of the Ospreys next up in the Galway Sportsground.

Reaching bonus territory a must for Connacht

Connacht continued their remarkable start to this season’s Guinness Pro12, grabbing a fifth win on the trot at the Galway Sportsground last evening. And following Leinster’s win over the Scarlets, Pat Lam’s side have now taken top spot.

Connacht 29 Dragons 23: Connacht opened their Guinness Pro 12 season with a valuable home win, edging a lively encounter against the Newport Gwent Dragons at the Galway Sportsground last evening.

There are few surprises in Pat Lam’s Connacht squad for this evening’s Guinness Pro 12 opener at the Galway Sportsground (7.30pm).

Connacht 20 Ulster 27: Ulster’s title hopes and Connacht’s less ambitious but equally important Champions Cup qualification dreams both remain on target after a seven-try Pro 12 thriller at the Galway Sportsground.

A Pro 12 title and a top six qualification are on the line in today’s meeting of Ulster and Connacht in the Galway Sportsground (2.40pm).

Connacht 53 Benetton Treviso 5

Guinness Pro12

“He does not look out of place and he is just going to get better and better.”

Connacht head coach Pat Lam has signed a new three-year deal ahead of the province’s final chance to bag a Challenge Cup quarter-final.

It has been announced that Connacht head coach Pat Lam has signed a three-year extension to his contract to keep him as the main man at the Galway Sportsground.

European Challenge Cup Pool 2

European Rugby Challenge Cup

Connacht coach Pat Lam is taking nothing for granted after victory over Munster, naming virtually an unchanged side for tonight’s visit of Edinburgh to the Galway Sportsground (7.35pm).

Connacht coach Pat Lam believes there is much more to come from his young squad after celebrating the New Year with a solid victory over Munster at the Galway Sportsground.

Stunned Munster supporters watching their side forfeit a 13 point lead and eventually lose 24-16 to the hosts departed the Galway Sportsground on Thursday night wondering how Connacht were able to draft in such influential players as All Black legend Mils Muliaina and another Kiwi, Bundee Aki, while their own side have to settle for virtual unknowns from the Southern Hemisphere.

Connacht 24 Munster 16

Robbie Henshaw: The heir apparent to Brian O’Driscoll on the Irish team was inspirational for his native province against Munster in Galway last night.

A player who recently landed two difficult kicks to ensure his side acrucial bonus point in the European Champions Cup and then played an outstanding part in victory over arch rivals Leinster in the Guinness Pro 12 should have few fears of taking on Connacht at the Galway Sportsground.

The outcome of the lunchtime clash with last year’s beaten finalists Saracens on their all-weather pitch on Saturday, January 17 will decided Munster’s fate in the European Champions Cup.

European Challenge Cup Pool 2: Connacht 42 Bayonne 19

Pat Lam is keeping faith with the Connacht side that overcame Scarlets last weekend when European action resumes this evening at the Galway Sportsground (5pm).

Connacht’s first All Black, Mils Muliaina, makes his debut for the province tonight when Connacht host Zebre at the Galway Sportsground (7.35pm).

Connacht Rugby 48 La Rochelle 12

Connacht Rugby 48 La Rochelle 12

Munster rugby fans will hardly have had time to digest their Christmas dinner when they will be heading to Thomond Park on St Stephen’s Day for the Guinness Pro 12 fixture that captures their attention more than any other – the visit of arch rivals Leinster to their famous Limerick headquarters.

Connacht 38 Treviso 6

HEINEKEN CUP POOL THREE:

HEINEKEN CUP POOL THREE:

Already battered and bruised from Sunday’s exertions in Toulouse, Connacht will be without Michael Swift for the return leg on Saturday in the Galway Sportsground.

Connacht winger Matt Healy has signed a new two-year contract extension with the province, keeping him at the Galway Sportsground until at least the summer of 2016.

It does not get any easier for Connacht as the Ospreys, one of only two unbeaten teams this season, are the visitors to the Galway Sportsground for this evening’s Pro 12 fixture.

Connacht 7 Ulster 18

Connacht coach Pat Lam has provided each of his players with a rugby ball in an attempt to improve the overall skill levels within the squad.