It's a huge weekend for Munster and a performance bursting with energy is required, writes LIAM TOLAND

SO LEINSTER/Ulster and Munster/Connacht will go toe-to-toe next August. Well, at least that guarantees another season for Connacht. Of course it would have been a little lop-sided if they weren’t involved. Well done the IRFU in keeping the four proud provinces together!

I wonder will Munster be tasked with supplying cash-strapped Connacht with the jerseys, nicks and stockings?

Interestingly, Leinster and Munster are afforded top billing over their fellow partners. Does this indicate the potential coaching ticket? Who will pick the teams? Will the last embarrassed player akin to the school boy at lunch time be left standing against the wall?

Some weeks back I highlighted the loan system in soccer that has been used by the bigger sides to lower overheads while affording opportunities to fringe players. Unfortunately the injuries in Munster highlight that there isn’t a bottomless pit of talent around the provinces.

Yes, there is room for some movement, but there’s no way the three remaining coaches will allow their players across the Shannon. So the fixture next August could afford a major shop window for the Connacht players, such as John Muldoon and Fionn Carr, who are well due recognition.

However, it could also afford Irish coaches Brian McLaughlin and Michael Bradley an interesting opportunity.

So what happened this week? The arrival of yet another sports biography and this time it is Andre Agassi and his crystal meth. But more importantly, Declan Kidney has reduced his selection of Irish players to 39. Could 23-year-old and top Magners League try scorer Fionn Carr have been squeezed in somehow? That’s a fair achievement from bottom of the Magners League table team.

That said, there’s an obvious induction of fresh talent which makes tomorrow’s clash in Thomond Park all the more intriguing.

I was in the East Stand last year when Ulster hammered Munster. It was a lonely, quiet and cold place. Ulster played direct rugby, attacking weak shoulders, changing angles and keeping the ball off the deck. More recently Ulster, the visitors tomorrow, have become more like Munster than Munster themselves.

Last week in Ravenhill, Ulster won their first eight lineouts in terrible conditions. They did so with variety and accuracy where Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuohy and Chris Henry all secured ball from Nigel Brady. Their scrum was solid. But most notably their control of the ball playing into the conditions was exemplary.

In doing so they mimicked the ferocity that is the cornerstone of Munster’s success. Ian Humphreys and his partner, Isaac Boss, managed the conditions by controlling the tempo and field position, all of which was built on their pack.

In between them Willie Faloon is a man worth watching tomorrow. He’s a little under the radar, isn’t too big, nor too athletic, but is very effective. As a proud Ulster man his favourite player is Frenchman Sebastian Chabal and his favourite game was in the Six Nations between Scotland v England ’06. No mention of Ulster’s European Cup win nor Ireland’s Grand Slam victory; interesting!

When Ulster arrive on the pitch they will be kept company with the forecast 25mm of rain and 25kmh winds: very similar to last week. Advantage Ulster, where a four-in-a-row is now not unlikely.

Although a little behind in pedigree, they can challenge Munster on every front. So it’ll come down to who manages the 10/12 axis in attack and defence.

Clearly, regardless of performance, Edinburgh valued one over on Munster enormously. So too will Ulster.

It looks like Paddy Wallace is the back-up to Ronan O’Gara and Johnny Sexton. Wallace has played four matches this season, all at inside centre, whereas Humphreys has managed eight starts at 10, winning five. Thankfully, there’ll be no resting of players tomorrow and we’ll see how Humphreys manages David Wallace and co.

Either way, Ulster are in rude health with a massive resurrection from the opener against the Dragons. What a turnaround, with them performing, winning and smiling while doing it. Look at how Andrew Trimble celebrated Boss’ try.

Conversely, in Edinburgh, Munster lacked control in the corridor of power and from it many problems raised their heads. Due to injuries, some other deficiencies are forgivable, especially in the scrum. But that doesn’t explain the lack of ambition and physicality. Last week Keith Earls worked hard but was almost anonymous. This is a worry, as precious few passages came his way.

Inside him Jean de Villiers and Lifeimi Mafi had little influence. Apart from an early burst in the second half, Mafi remained quiet. Munster were crying out for go-forward, but not just through the boot. On too many occasions Munster elected to kick when in strong field positions.

So I expect Humphreys to be busy in defence with a queue of carriers lining him up, especially Mafi, Wallace and Earls (off the blindside wing).

Munster coach Tony McGahan must be tempted to start Paul Warwick where he finished last week. In the past, Ronan O’Gara valued a return to Munster after a run in Ireland, but the opposite is now true. He needs the autumn series more than ever. He remains a class player in a team that are struggling with injuries and his game is being affected.

Clearly he is number one in Ireland, a big-game player who will prove his worth in Croke Park, but tomorrow Munster need energy and Warwick can create the kinetic go-forward.

It’s a tough call for McMahon, but that’s not where his difficulties/ conundrums end.

It’s a huge weekend for Munster as the Magners League closes down and a performance bursting with energy is required.

What a pleasure it’ll be to watch Munster muscle their way out of a mini slump, Ulster go for a four-in-a-row and witness Alain Rolland in the middle.

Regardless of the weather, it’ll make for a mighty match.