A final shot is beckoning for Munster

BY the end of this weekend, the finalists of this year’s Guinness PRO14 season may be known.

Victory for Munster against Connacht in Thomond Park tonight books their place in the final and tomorrow’s meeting of Ulster and Leinster in Belfast goes a long way to deciding who will join them.

Nine points behind with two rounds remaining after this game, Connacht know that only a win will keep their hopes of making a first final since 2016 alive. Their last win in Limerick came that season, with Bundee Aki scoring the all-important try, and they have the Ireland centre on board for this game.

He’s one of seven Ireland squad members who will be hoping to catch the eye of Andy Farrell, with Craig Casey the only one who was involved in last week’s win over Italy.

With Conor Murray getting back to fitness, the Limerick man knows he needs to keep his personal momentum going with another big performance. If he delivers it, it’ll be hard for Farrell to leave him out of Sunday-week’s Six Nations game against Scotland. Alongside him, Ben Healy gets an opportunity to show his wares at out-half as he comes in for JJ Hanrahan and Joey Carbery remains on the bench.

Andrew Conway, Shane Daly and Chris Farrell are the other Ireland men in the Munster backline, while Aki is joined by hooker Dave Heffernan and lock Ultan Dillane.

Munster coach Johann van Graan is anticipating a tough outing.

“They have got a very solid plan,” he said of Connacht.

“I think one of their most underrated things is their direct attack in the 22. They are one of the teams that attack the best in that part of the pitch. Their body height and their speed of ball, they have got some powerful runners. You have just got to look at someone like Bundee.

“That’s a quality side who we are facing.”