FRIEND: WE NEED SAME SPIRIT THAT BEAT BLUES

CELEBRATIONS Connacht after famous win over Leinster at RDS last weekend

Connacht Munster

Thesportsground,tonight7.35pm

CONNACHT coach Andy Friend is expecting a bruising examination from a full strength Munster as the Reds aim to take control of Conference B with their first interpro win of the festive period.

Defeat at Ulster last weekend and a postponed clash with Leinster means Johann van Graan’s side are in need of action and a vital win at the top of the standings.

A week out from their pivotal Champions Cup tussle with Clermont, Munster have named their strongest possible 15 and Friend knows his side will have to be at their best to build on the memorable 35-24 win over Leinster.

“We’ll get what you can always get from Munster, they’re going to be physical,” said Friend, who is without inspirational leader Bundee Aki and captain Jarrad Butler.

“You give them a penalty and they’re going to kick to the corner and maul you or kick three points, that’s how they get their points.

“We’ve got to be really squeaky clean with our discipline and we’ve got to make sure we don’t give them easy access.

“If they do happen to get access, which they will no doubt, we’ve got to make sure we’re as ferocious as we were against Leinster and do everything we can to keep them out.”

In the absence of Butler, Quinn

Roux will again captain the side. He is joined by Munsterman Ultan Dillane in the second row while a trio of recent recruits from the southern province – Sammy Arnold, Alex Wootton and Conor Oliver – are all named to start for the division’s second placed side.

Friend has opted to pair Australian Sevens duo John Porch and Ben O’donnell in his back three for the first time – the latter making his first start – while Finlay Bealham and Sean O’brien return.

For Munster, James Cronin will make his 100th league appearance in an all-new front row, while van Graan has opted for power and experience with Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Coombes, Peter O’mahony and CJ Stander in the pack.

After such an inspirational win at the RDS, Friend knows his side need a repeat performance.

He added: “I just thought the attitude and the energy that we had defensively to get off the line and to protect our line was really, really impressive.

“We’ve got to bring that for 80 minutes because you know exactly what’s coming from Munster. They’re a quality outfit and they’ll have a point to prove.

“We said at the start of the year we want to win all of our home games and we haven’t been doing that.

“We need to get back the winning formula here at The Sportsground – and there’s no better time to do that.”