Murray’s timely return from injury boosts Munster’s PRO12 title bid
WHEN he emerges from the Munster bench, Conor Murray will be a sight for sore eyes across Britain and Ireland.
The Lions await for the fitagain scrum-half, but his focus is firmly on winning a Guinness PRO12 title with his province first.
Rassie Erasmus had every excuse to keep the Ireland star on ice for two more weeks, but is confident enough in the prognosis on his shoulder to ease him back into action.
The return of Murray adds to the case for an all-Irish PRO12 final at the Aviva Stadium in three weeks’ time.
Win, lose or draw today, the Reds will be back at Thomond Park in a fortnight to host either Scarlets or Ospreys, and Erasmus is managing his squad accordingly.
Much has changed since Connacht won at this venue to signal their serious intent as challengers last season.
Pat Lam’s final regular season game in charge could hardly pack less punch as all eyes are on the European Champions Cup play-off in two weeks’ time.
NUDGE
There’s nothing much at stake for either team, but Erasmus insists he wants a win to sign off the regular season. If they get a favour from Ulster, it might even nudge them ahead of Leinster and into first place.
“We definitely want to win the game, that’s one of the most important things, to go and win the game,” he said.
“It doesn’t really (matter if you finish first or second). I guess the final is where the final is, if you make the final. Both Ospreys and Scarlets are quality teams and we’re going to have to play one of them at home.
“We might be first and Ospreys beat Scarlets or Scarlets beat Ospreys and we have no control over who we play. The pride is more in trying to win, to beat Connacht, that’s the main thing.
“We’ve had a pretty successful season, PRO12 league wins-wise and we’d like to keep on doing that.
“We know Connacht have had our number over the last few years, so it’s going to be a tough one.”
With Bundee Aki still suspended, Lam pairs Craig Ronaldson and Tom Farrell in midfield as he makes 11 changes to the team that lost to Scarlets last weekend.
Kieran Marmion is fit again and partners Jack Carty at half-back, while skipper John Muldoon returns alongside James Connolly and Eoin McKeon in the back-row.
“With this being our final game before the European play off, there is no question that we need an improved performance in Limerick,” said Lam.
“With quite a few changes from last weekend, it’s an opportunity for those guys selected to drive that improvement.
“Winning only once in 29 years in Thomond Park emphasises the challenge we face.
“With the way Munster are playing as a team this season, there is no doubt that challenge has got even tougher. It’s a derby game with a lot on the line for both teams and we’re really looking forward to it.”