Connacht smell opportunity as injury-hit Munster arrive for western shootout

Play-off ambitions, mounting injuries and fierce provincial rivalry set the stage for a pivotal Galway showdown

Sean O'Brien of Munster breaks through a tackle from Canan Moodie of Vodacom Bulls during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Munster at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Nic Bothma/Sportsfile

A bashed-up Munster chasing a top-four finish visit a Connacht side fighting for their lives for a sold-out URC derby at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday (7:45pm) with the potential for the tetchiness that usually accompanies this rivalry set to go up another notch in Galway.

If it were not for the raft of injuries to frontline players sustained by Clayton McMillan’s side last time out at home to Ulster on April 25, and the head coach’s reluctance on Thursday to wholeheartedly commit to Munster beyond this season, recent omens would be good for the visitors.