Connacht’s Marmion hoping to impress Ireland boss Schmidt

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.

Schmidt and Les Kiss will be in attendance at Thomond Park to run their eyes over Ireland hopefuls Marmion, 23, and Nathan White, and the Connacht scrum-half is keen to make an impression.

The Connacht man has had to be satisfied with 12 minutes against Wales in Ireland’s opening World Cup warm-up match, but he thinks the Connacht game-time he has picked up against Castres last weekend, and again tonight, could prove crucial.