Kieran Marmion is not about to argue he is a viable alternative to Conor Murray for the Ireland number nine jersey. Not yet at least.

Connacht 14 - Dragons 9: Connacht coach Pat Lam says Kieran Marmion is fit to make his first start in the Six Nations next Saturday against France if called into action.

It’s been a rest day for the Irish squad, with the players returning to the camp in Carton House tonight.

Munster 12 Connacht 28: Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion could hardly be blamed for feeling more than a little aggrieved last week when he was released back to Connacht by Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt without having had a reasonable chance to press his claims for a place in Ireland’s World Cup squad.

Kieran Marmion is determined to make the most of what could be his last audition for a place in Joe Schmidt’s 31-man World Cup Ireland squad when he plays for Connacht against Munster tonight.