The Munster pack has a familiar ring to it this weekend but a number of brand new backline players will be introduced to the faithful who make their way to the Sportsground for Sunday’s Magners League clash.
The back-row is high quality with Nick Williams, Niall Ronan and James Coughlan all named and the tight five also looks a tough nut to crack.
But the backs are less experienced. Under-20 international wingers Simon Zebo and Danny Barnes, along with Thomond out-half Declan Cusack are all named in a side that will be led by Mick O’Driscoll.
The trio get their chance in this important game because of injuries to Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Jean De Villiers and Barry Murphy, all of whom are nursing injuries of one variety or another.
Zebo was a regular on this year's international Under-20 Championship winning side while Barnes was called into the 20s squad last summer for the World Cup in Japan, as was replacement scrum-half for Sunday Conor Murray.
Cusack has been director of operations for Anthony Foley's British & Irish Cup side and played a crucial part in their march to the semi-final.
Paul Warwick and Peter Stringer provide a wily presence in the backs, with Warwick at inside centre alongside Tom Gleeson and Scott Deasy at full-back.
The Connacht team shows one change from that which defeated Bourgoin in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup, with Bernie Upton starting in the second row and Michael McCarthy reverting to the bench.
Connacht's experienced backline will be a severe test for the untried Munster unit. Ireland international Gavin Duffy is named at full-back while former Leinster flyer Fionn Carr is on the wing. Ian Keatley will pull the strings from fly-half.
The pack also has a mean look to it with Sean Cronin, Johnny O'Connor and captain John Muldoon among a strong set of forwards.
Munster v Connacht, The Sportsground, Galway, Magners League, Sunday April 18, 5.05pm:
Connacht: Gavin Duffy; Troy Nathan; Niva Ta'auso; Keith Matthews; Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley; Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson; Sean Cronin; Jamie Hagan; Michael Swift; Bernie Upton; John Muldoon (captain); Johnny O'Connor; George Naoupu
Replacements: Adrian Flavin; Ronan Loughney; Michael McCarthy; Mike McComish; Conor O'Loughlin; Miah Nikora; Aidan Wynne
Munster: Scott Deasy; Simon Zebo, Tom Gleeson, Paul Warwick, Danny Barnes; Declan Cusack, Peter Stringer; Dave Ryan, Damien Varley, Tony Buckley; Mick O'Driscoll capt; Billy Holland; Nick Williams, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan.
Replacements: Denis Fogarty, Julien Brugnaut, Dave Foley, Peter O'Mahoney, Conor Murray, Jeremy Manning, Sean Scanlon.
