THIS IS THO IMPORTANT

Van Graan demands Limerick win to end Connacht final hopes

IT’S high stakes at Thomond Park tonight and Johann van Graan wants the victory that will lead Munster to “the next step”.

The Reds have been eyeing up the PRO14 final at the end of this month and a win against closest Conference B challengers Connacht will earn it.

They are nine points ahead of their rivals and the Westerners desperately need to secure a fifth successive away win if they are to stay relevant.

“We’ve had a steady season, won in a lot of different games and that’s why we’re currently leading the conference by nine points,” said Reds supremo van Graan. “We’ve got three weekends in the round-robin and our only focus is Connacht, a team that we respect. Hopefully we can put in a performance that will get us the win and that will lead to the next step.”

After three away wins, Munster return to Limerick with a strong line-up.

Craig Casey is back at No.9 after making his Ireland debut last week while Andrew

Conway and Chris

Farrell have also been released for duty. Van

Graan has Joey Carbery, Damian de Allende and Jean Kleyn available to him on the bench.

Connacht have Ireland trio Dave Heffernan, Ultan Dillane and last week’s match-winner Bundee Aki ready to go although their top try scorer Alex Wootton – on loan from Munster – is only on the bench.

“They’ve got a very solid plan,” van Graan warned. “There’s this perception that they just throw every single ball around and they play this open game.

“If we look at them closely, they’re very good with their set-piece, they’ve got some clever plans, their kicking game is very solid. Jack Carty’s varied kicking game is very good. They kick well off nine with Kieran Marmion and Caolin Blade.

“They have got a very hard-working tight five. You have got to be on top of your game to get on top of them.

“One of their most underrated things is their direct attack in the 22. They’re 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.

“They’re a very well-rounded team. They’ve qualified again for Europe I think, or are close to that qualification. You don’t just qualify for Europe if you’re not a good team.

“You just have to look at their performances against Bristol and Racing Metro, some of the top teams in Europe.”