Connacht sit top of the Guinness Pro12 pile but Munster must focus on their own game, says head coach Anthony Foley.
This Irish provinces meet in Thomond Park on Saturday (5.15pm) and Munster, currently second, know that a win will see them skip over Pat Lam’s men.
“When you are going up against teams that are on that type of form you try and concentrate on yourself and make sure you are up for the challenge," Foley told RTÉ Sport.
“Hopefully that’s the way our mindset is.”
Munster didn’t play last weekend as their Champions Cup match against Stade Francais was postponed. Connacht, meanwhile, beat Brive in the Challenge Cup.
Foley added that these local games provide players with extra incentive to produce the goods against rivals for places in the national side.
"These local derbies provide fellows with cases for international call-ups"
He said: “These local derbies provide fellows with cases for international call-ups or even turn Joe Schmidt’s head their way and fellows are up for them on both sides.
“It’s 1 v 2 this weekend. They’ve backed up what they did last year and have had a great start to the season. They’re obviously the form side in the competition.
“They’ve had their travel to Russia and they’ve come back and beaten Brive at home. They’re in good form and they’ve a lot of very good players.
“We want to maintain our run at home.”
On the fitness front Foley revealed that Conor Murray (bruised foot) didn’t train today, Mike Sherry (knee) did modified training, while Duncan Casey and Peter O’Mahony have had operations on their respective injuries and have “come through well”.
