Muldoon Returns To Captain Connacht
John Muldoon will make his return from a calf injury when leading out Connacht for their Magners League clash with Munster at the Sportsground on Sunday (kick-off 6pm).
Sunday’s game has been sold out since before Christmas and is crucial for bottom side Connacht as they look to make up ground on their Magners League rivals.
The return of team captain John Muldoon, who had been out of action since playing against Edinburgh in October, is a major boost ahead of the second interprovincial derby of the season to be played in Galway.
In all, Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made five changes to the team which beat Rugby Rovigo last time out.
Liam Bibo has recovered from a hamstring injury to start on the left wing, while recent signing Niva Ta’auso will make his first start at outside centre having recovered from an arm injury.
Up front, former Munster Academy player Sean Cronin starts at hooker and Colm Rigney also returns for the westerners at number 8.
CONNACHT (v Munster): Gavin Duffy; Troy Nathan, Niva Ta’auso, Keith Matthews, Liam Bibo; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Robbie Morris, Mike McCarthy, Andrew Farley, John Muldoon (capt), Ray Ofisa, Colm Rigney.
Replacements (from): Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Andrew Browne, Michael Swift, Kieran Campbell, Andy Dunne, Mel Deane, Fionn Carr.