Matthews to captain Connacht against Munster

Keith Matthews will captain Connacht in the Magners League clash against Munster which has been rescheduled to take place on Monday 27 December.

The game was refixed to allow the pitch at The Sportsground time to thaw out from the record breaking freezing temperatures experienced this week.

Matthews, a 28 year old Limerick native, joined Connacht in 2005 having made two appearances for Munster and has featured in 68 Magners League games and 23 Amlin Challenge Cup games for Connacht. Matthews was capped against Argentina Jaguares when selected for Ireland A in November 2009 along with team-mates, Muldoon, Wilkinson, Keatley and Frank Murphy.

Ian Keatley is selected at full-back, the 23-year old traditionally plays at out-half but has shown huge versatility this season having excelled at centre and full-back and the return of Niva Ta’auso from injury gives an extra attacking edge to the back-line.

Ezra Taylor also marks his return from injury with a starting spot at number eight, he replaces John Muldoon who has been ruled out of action with a fractured arm sustained against Harlequins last week. The break is likely to see the Portumna born back-rower out for a number of months.

Connacht’s clash with Munster kicks off at the Sportsground on Monday at 6.10pm he game will be broadcast live on TG4.

Connacht: Ian Keatley; Darragh Fanning, Niva Ta’auso, Keith Matthews (Captain,)Fionn Carr; Miah Nikora, Cillian Willis; Rob Sweeney, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan; Michael Swift, Michael McCarthy; Andrew Browne, Johnny O’Connor, Ezra Taylor.

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Barry Fa’amausili, Dylan Rogers, Bernie Upton, Mike McComish, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, Brian Tuohy.