Connacht v Munster: Teams
Keith Matthews has been named Connacht's captain for their rescheduled Magners League clash with Munster on Monday.
Last Updated: 24/12/10 1:18pm
Keith Matthews has been named Connacht's captain for their rescheduled Magners League clash with Munster on Monday.
The all-Irish clash, originally scheduled for Boxing Day, was pushed back to allow the pitch at the Sportsground to thaw out from the freezing temperatures experienced this week.
Matthews, who made two appearances for Munster before moving to Connacht, has played in 68 Magners League games and 23 Amlin Challenge Cup games for his current club.
Ian Keatley comes in for Connacht at full-back while the return of centre Niva Ta'auso from injury gives an attacking edge to the back division.
Ezra Taylor also returns from injury to come into the side at No. 8, replacing usual captain John Muldoon who has been ruled out of action after fracturing his arm in the Amlin Challenge Cup against Harlequins last week.
Out-of-form Connacht will face an uphill task against the league leaders, having only beaten them once since 1986.
Munster, meanwhile, leave several internationals out of their travelling squad at the request of national management but will still be favourites for the clash.
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 (from): S Deasy, J Murphy, C Murray, P Stringer, R O'Gara, D Hurley, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, T Gleeson, B Murphy, P Warwick, W du Preez, M Sherry, D Varley, S Henry, J Hayes, Dave Ryan, P Borlase, S Archer, D Ryan, I Nagle, A Quinlan, B Holland, T O'Donnell, N Ronan, P Butler
