Reds will respect in-form Connacht

One of the strengths of Munster rugby over the year has been the ideology that opponents must be respected at all costs, not necessarily feared but at least respected.

Connacht haven’t always been given the respect they deserve but they do get due recognition down south and have for a long time now.

James Coughlan came through from the club ranks to provincial rugby the hard way and he sees Connacht as a nuggety opponent; tonight, at Musgrave Park, he will sing from the same hymn sheet as coach Rob Penney and several of his colleagues who know what it is to be physically and otherwise tested by the men from the west.