IT’S A CONN SO DON’T EXPECT AN EASY RIDE

Ulster Munster Kingspan Stadium, 5.35pm

v NEW Munster coach Johann van Graan reckons they will walk into an ambush if they pay too much heed to Ulster’s shocking display in Galway before Christmas.

The South African said he fully expects a backlash after their record 44-16 loss away to Connacht.

But he is also looking for a big response from his own men after tasting defeat for the first time since he took over from compatriot Rassie Erasmus last month.

Both teams had been on five-match winning runs but Van Graan, as expected, has rung the changes to the Munster side turned over 34-24 at Thomond Park on St Stephen’s Day.

Ulster coach Les Kiss described the record 44-16 loss away to Connacht as the worst of his term in Belfast, but van Graan is not reading too much into it.

“I don’t think you can go too much on their last performance. I thought to win away at Quins and put in a very good home performance at home against Quins shows they are a quality side,” he insisted.

“They are very well set in Europe and well set in the PRO14 so ULSTER we’ve just got to reset ourselves. We’re going with quite a few changes for the Ulster game, refine our plan and back the depth of our squad to go and put in a good performance in Belfast.”

He has retained just four of the team which started against Leinster as they bid to win three matches in a row in Belfast for the first time since they made the first trip there in 1910.

Kiss, having to rest Irish stars Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale, is hoping for big performances from All Black Charles Piutau and Wallaby Christian Lealiifano.

Piutau, who heads to Bristol at the end of the season, admitted the Connacht game was painful to watch.

“Execution has been a big part of our game where it tends to change momentum for us or is the difference between winning a losing,” he said. “I 100 per cent have the belief we can turn it around and I’m excited by the challenge.” MUNSTER TV TIMES: Live on BBC NI and TG4, kick-off 5.35pm

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