Ex-Munster centre leads Connacht in derby tie

Former Munster player Keith Matthews will captain Connacht for their St Stephen’s Day Magners League meeting with league leaders Munster at the Sportsground in Galway. (kick-off 6.10pm)

Ian Keatley moves to full back to accommodate Niva Ta'auso’s return to the centre.

Miah Nikora remains at fly half and links up with former Leinster scrum half Cillian Willis at half back.

Ex-Queensland Reds flanker Ezra Taylor replaces skipper John Muldoon, who is out with a broken arm, at number eight while young loosehead Rob Sweeney joins Sean Cronin and Jamie Hagan in the front row.

Meanwhile, Munster coach Tony McGahan has named his starting line-up for the trip to Galway.

The likes of Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer and Alan Quinlan are named but fellow internationals David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Tony Buckley and Keith Earls are missing due to the IRFU Player Management Programme.

Cork Constitution centre Tom Gleeson partners Lifeimi Mafi at centre with Barry Murphy, who played alongside Connacht’s Matthews at underage level and for UL Bohemians, named on the wing.

Quinlan and Niall Ronan are selected on the flanks and are joined by promising Shannon number eight Paddy Butler.

Connacht rugby are confident that the match will go ahead despite the record low temperatures this week.

Connacht: 15 Ian Keatley, 14 Darragh Fanning, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Keith Matthews (C), 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Cillian Willis, 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Johnny O'Connor, 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Michael McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Rob Sweeney.

Replacements:16 Adrian Flavin 17 Barry Fa'amausili 18 Dylan Rogers 19 Bernie Upton 20 Mike McComish 21 Frank Murphy 22 Troy Nathan 23 Brian Tuohy

Munster: P Warwick; B Murphy, T Gleeson, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara capt, P Stringer; W du Preez, M Sherry, P Borlase; D Ryan, I Nagle; A Quinlan, N Ronan, P Butler.

Replacements: S Henry, Dave Ryan, J Hayes; B Holland, T O'Donnell, C Murray, J Murphy, S Deasy