Connacht Rugby have announced the side that will face Munster this St Stephens Day in Thomond Park.

Following Connacht’s excellent display against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup last weekend Head Coach Eric Elwood has chosen not to tinker with the side too much, making just one enforced change. Fetu’u Vainikolo replaces Mark McCrea on the wing. McCrea was forced to retire from last weekend’s clash with a strained hamstring giving the Tongan International winger a berth in the starting XV.

Connacht know that Thomond Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the team in recent years but following spirited back to back displays against Aviva Premiership giants Gloucester the squad know that if they continue this rich vein of form that elusive win is just around the corner.

Connacht’s hugely experienced pack will scrum down with no fewer than 747 caps for the Province between them while the dynamic young backline will be marshalled by captain Gavin Duffy from fullback.

Connacht XV to face Munster in Thomond Park (St Stephens Day kick off 19.45)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Fetu’u Vainikolo

13 Eoin Griffin

12 Dave McSharry

11 Tiernan O’Halloran

10 Niall O’Connor

09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Ethienne Reynecke

03 Ronan Loughney

04 George Naoupu

05 Mike McCarthy

06 Dave Gannon

07 Johnny O’Connor

08 John Muldoon

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Dylan Rogers

18 Rodney Ah You

19 Mick Kearney

20 Eoin McKeon

21 Paul O’Donohoe

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Kyle Tonetti