Connacht have enjoyed their best season to date but two defeats in December have seen them losing sight of teams boasting genuine aspirations of winning the Pro12.
The Westerners are currently sixth, nine points adrift of third-placed Munster. A win against Anthony Foley's side seems crucial to keep the campaign on track.
International midfield
Pat Lamwill be putting out his strongest XV in some time. Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki form a centre partnership that could well become an international midfield in just over two years. Aki has been a revelation since arriving in Galway, all power and intent. The wonder is how Lam managed to entice the centre north, especially considering his performances for the Chiefs in Super rugby.
That, in many ways, is half the reason for Connacht’s revival. Blending Kiwis with the local talent has yielded six victories. But to beat Munster, they need all the big calls to go their way.
Lam is adamant those big calls have not gone their way in recent interprovincial encounters. “In my time here I feel we always get the toughest calls in the interpro games,” he lamented after the 13-10 defeat to Ulster on St Stephen’s Day.
Really it was their handling errors that hurt the most in Ravenhill. “But we hung in there,” Lam continued. “As history would show, that’s not an easy place to go and get the win. We are certainly closing the gap on the other three.”
True, but the gap will only disappear by winning this sort of match, against a Munster side that despite the absence of Robin Copeland, Denis Hurley and possibly Felix Jones, will have a European look to it.
Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Simon Zebo and Conor Murray are due to return to a group that overpowered Leinster in their absence.
Moving south
The same old problems also exist for Connacht. Henshaw, reportedly, is poised to move to Dublin next year, not unlike Ian Keatley who felt he had progressed at Connacht as far as possible before moving south to Munster.
“When I was at Connacht they were talking about building their own legacy and they have really stepped it up this year,” said Keatley this week. “They are undefeated at home, which shows how strong they are, and they will have their 16th man behind them on New Year’s Day which will create a great atmosphere.
“I’m going back to where it kind of all started for me. I’m looking forward to it. We got a good win over Leinster and we are hoping to build on that.”
Twenty-two-year-old outhalf Jack Carty has impressed this season and with Kieran Marmion and Mils Muliaina set to start in the backline, this promises to be a captivating contest.
Fionn Carr can bring his pace to the back three but Darragh Leader's form also demands inclusion.
Ronan Loughney is still struggling with a back problem but young props Denis Buckley and Rodney Ah You should provide plenty of agility and power in Nathan White's ongoing absence.
Quinn Roux, who rolled his ankle minutes before the Ulster match, returns to the secondrow, where he must impose himself on O'Connell and Dave Foley.
Michael Swift is sidelined with concussion but Eoin McKeon is yet another example of young, local talent that can strengthen their backrow.
Connacht’s only victory over Munster in their last 41 meetings, dating back to 1986, came in December 2008.
It's long overdue. On paper that looks unlikely but January 1st at a sold out Sportsground is as good a place as any to defy logic.
