Quick debut for new-boy Connolly
Connolly was signed alongside South African Sevens specialist Anthon Pitout, hours before Thursday’s ERC deadline. Now both are eligible to participate in the Heineken Cup.
The 34-year-old Connolly is no stranger to top class rugby, having won 30 league caps for Great Britain and one for Ireland. He played one full season of rugby union for Harlequins four years ago before returning to league. His latest club was Widnes, with whom he played 25 first grade matches last season.
Pitout (28) comes direct to Ireland, arriving on Monday, from Free State Cheetahs, but also has considerable experience with the Blue Bulls. He has been a regular member of the South African Sevens squad for the last three seasons and is equally at home playing in the centre or the wing.
It was this flexibility that Munster coach Declan Kidney clearly wanted as he sought to provide the squad with cover in the absence of Christian Cullen, who is now unlikely to play any part in this season’s Heineken Cup.
Also included in the Munster squad for the first time are Ian Dowling and Tomas O’Leary, who made their Munster debut just a week ago and other newcomers to the HC squad are Tony Buckley, Denis Fogarty, John O’Sullivan, Frank Murphy, Jeremy Manning and Barry Murphy. Both Murphys, O’Leary and Fogarty are all former Munster U21s.
For their part, Connacht fans will be out in force to welcome Munster, but that welcome is likely to be more hot than warm as Michael Bradley’s men seek to extricate themselves from the foot of the Celtic League table.
An even bigger reason for Connacht’s faithful wanting to make Munster’s journey a fruitless one is the fact that recent results have not done Connacht the justice they deserved.
Apart from one hiding (39-10) in the last four encounters, Connacht drew with Munster (27-27) and twice lost on 3-0 score-lines.
While Connacht have only one win from four this season, while Munster have three from four, there does not appear to be a significant difference in form.
Munster were fortunate to win two of those three matches, and won’t travel to Galway feeling in superior mood.
Bradley and his side will be waiting to ambush if they do.
“A Connacht-Munster game is always a big highlight of the season. We feel as if we’re due a win over Munster, but it’s going to be very tough,” said the coach.
As Leinster prepare for their head-to-head with Ulster at Donnybrook (5.30pm), one individual has received a significant boost.
Young Robert Kearney, last year’s Irish Examiner Rugby Youths Sports Star, has enjoyed a remarkable lift.
Yesterday, he was named as Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Leinster Player of the Month for September. Kearney bagged a hat-trick of tries in a pre-season friendly against Parma and has scored in each of his first three Celtic League games - a competition record.
All that acclaim, plus a call-up to Ireland’s squad last week, has put Kearney right into the national spotlight, but the 19-year-old is intent on keeping his head down. He is looking forward to the clash with Ulster.
“It has been great to be involved with Leinster in the Celtic League, but there should be a lot more bite to this particular fixture,” he said.
“You’re playing against guys who are in competition with you at a national level, and there is a lot of pride at stake for all the provinces when they meet up.”
Connacht have made just one change from the team beaten narrowly by Border Reivers last week.
John Muldoon comes in at blind side flanker for Michael Swift and Muldoon’s place on the bench is taken by Andrew Gallagher.
Paul Warwick has successfully overcome a neck strain and is included. Therefore, there will be no need to press Eric Elwood into action. Dave Slemen stands by as back-up out half to Warwick.
Munster have made four changes from the team that defeated Llanelli.
New signing Connolly takes over from Denis Leamy who, in turn, replaces the injured David Wallace.
Peter Stringer is back after injury, Marcus Horan is back in the front row and Mick O’Driscoll takes over from the injured Paul O’Connell.
: M Mostyn, K Matthews, D Yapp, J Downey, C McPhillips, P Warwick, T Tierney, D McFarland, J Fogarty, S Knoop, C Short, A Farley (captain), J Muldoon, C Rigney, M Lacey.
: C Venter, R Hogan, A Gallagher, B O’Connor, C Keane, D Slemen, T Robinson.
: B Murphy, J Kelly, G Connolly, T Halstead, I Dowling, R O’Gara, P Stringer, M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, A Foley (captain), D Leamy.
: F Pucciarriello, J Flannery, T Hogan, S Keogh, T O’Leary, P Burke, R Henderson.
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