Controversial Ireland squad stokes provincial fires

As if interprovincial rivalry was not enough to get the juices flowing in Galway this evening, a controversial Ireland squad announcement is sure to further add to the intensity in both camps as Munster take on Connacht at the Sportsground.

The nature of such occasions between neighbours is usually enough to provide a febrile atmosphere for proceedings. Add two spurned full-backs, a pair of outside centres eager to impress and a host of Test hopefuls in action tonight and the stage is set for a derby to savour as the Guinness PRO14 campaign returns to centre stage for a brief, two-week window.

Ireland’s decision to do without Tiernan O’Halloran and Simon Zebo during the November Tests will be their provinces’ gain when their international contingents check into pre-series training camp on Sunday but in the meantime, the frustration of omission can only help O’Halloran’s Connacht and Zebo’s Munster when they go head to head this evening.