Muldoon back to captain Connacht

John Muldoon returns from injury to captain a Connacht side showing five changes against Munster in the Magner's League at The Sportsground on Sunday in a game which has been sold out since before Christmas (kick off: 6pm).

Muldoon, who had been out of action since playing against Edinburgh in October, is a major boost ahead of the second derby of the season to be played in Galway.

Niva Ta’auso will make his first start at outside centre, Liam Bibo comes in on the wing, Sean Cronin starts at hooker while Colm Rigney returns at number eight.

CONNACHT (v Munster): G Duffy; T Nathan, N Ta’auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; M McCarthy, A Farley; J Muldoon (C), R Ofisa, C Rigney.

Replacements: (7 from 8): A Flavin, R Loughney, A Browne, M Swift, K Campbell, A Dunne, M Deane, F Carr.