Inter-provincial derby weekend preview

The Christmas inter-provincial derbies are a highlight of the rugby calendar and this weekend sees the first round of games.

By Declan Whooley

The Player Welfare programme and the Heineken Cup has meant that we do not always see full-strength teams in action, but generally for the home tie of the two it is as close to the first choice fifteen as possible.

The action gets underway tonight and here is what to expect.

Stringer back in action as Connacht look to make it two from three

Peter Stringer is back in the number nine jersey for tomorrow night’s clash between Connacht and Munster at the Sportsground.

Munster only retain five players from the team that lost to Saracens, with one of those skippering the side. James Coughlan assumes captaincy in an experienced team that travels to Galway. Ian Keatley returns to his old stomping ground to partner Stringer at half-back while Johne Murphy and Luke O’Dea take the wing positions.

Connacht for their part will look to make it two from three against Irish opposition this season and build on their stunning victory over Leinster earlier in the season. Last season’s narrow home defeat to the same opposition should spur Eric Elwood’s team on and the exciting back-three of Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O’Halloran and Fetu’u Vainikolo will look to pose a threat offensively.

Centre Danie Poolman is relishing his first taste of a derby clash and believes it will be similar to rivalry he has experienced in his native South Africa.

“The derbies in South Africa were tough, but I am looking forward to experiencing this. I can just imagine it is going to be big,” he said.

This will be a close fought affair, but Connacht’s youthful attack plus experience in the form of Mike McCarthy, Johnny O’Connor, George Naoupu and Dan Parks may be enough to see the home side shade it.

Munster XV: D Hurley; J Murphy, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, P Stringer; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, B Holland; P Butler, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan (capt).

Connacht XV: Robbie Henshaw; Tiernan O'Halloran, Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry, Fetu'u Vainikolo; Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Jason Harris-Wright, Nathan White (capt); George Naoupu, Mike McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Johnny O'Connor, Eoin McKeon.

Tonight’s televised clash at Ravenhill is a chance for both sides to put their European disappointment at the weekend behind them.

For Leinster, the RaboDirect PRO12 probably offers their best chance of silverware. While not mathematically out of the Heineken Cup, it will require a remarkable turnaround to make the knock-out stages.

For Ulster things look much healthier. European progression is still in their own hands and are still unbeaten in the league. After just ten games they are already 12 points clear of their visitors to Ravenhill.

Mark Anscombe has named a near full-strength side, allowing for their long injury list and the fact a number of players had stomach bugs during the week.

Nick Williams will add power to the back row and the second-row will get further experience of playing together against their more illustrious counterparts.

Isa Nacewa and Shane Jennings are ruled out through injury while the Player Welfare programme sees Jonathan Sexton sit this one out, though he admits he would prefer to play.

“I know it's for our sake, at the end of the day,” he said before adding that it can complicate matters.

“If I pick up a niggle in two weeks' time or you have a game off or you're out for a couple of games... and then you haven't played for four to six games,” he added.

Ian Madigan will step-in as he has done so well this season whenever required.

Home advantage, a strong line-up and Leinster minus Sexton, O’Driscoll and Nacewa would point towards a victory for the Ulster men.

Ulster XV: J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best, J Afoa; I Henderson, N McComb; R Diack, C Henry (capt) N Williams.

Leinster XV: N Reid; A Conway, B Macken, G D'Arcy, F McFadden; I Madigan, E Reddan; C Healy, S Cronin, M Bent; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.