Robbie Henshaw switched back to fullback for Munster clash

Matt Healy will revert to his familiar role on the wing when Connacht take on Munster at The Sportsground on Saturday.

Healy was electric from fullback in his side's narrow defeat to Grenoble last weekend, but Pat Lam has shuffled his pack for the Pro 12 showdown, with Robbie Henshaw reclaiming the number 15 shirt.

Peter Robb returns to the midfield to partner Bundee Aki, while Shane O'Leary retains his place at outhalf alongside Kieran Marmion.

In the pack Aly Muldowney starts at secondrow with Ultan Dillane while Eoin McKeown returns to the backrow.

Ahead of the fixture Pat Lam said: “”Aly (Muldowney) and Eoin (McKeon) come in for us on Saturday and will bring fresh legs and energy having not travelled to France last week.

“It’s another big challenge tomorrow but we’re very excited by it. We have a lot of respect for Munster and what they have achieved. I have no doubt that as province with huge history and pride they will come here with intensity and focus. We will need to continue to channel our work ethic and physicality into our team structures to get the valuable points on offer.

“With the weather promising to hold up, it’s set up to be a cracker of a game - the sort of rugby you want to be playing in front of a big crowd at this time of the season. While we have a lot of young and less experienced players in our side, these are exactly the type of games that will accelerate their continued development and progression as Connacht and Irish rugby players.”

Meanwhile Anthony Foley has made three changes to his side for the trip out West as Munster look to maintain their hopes of gaining a spot in next season’s Champions Cup.

Two of the changes are in the pack, with Mike Sherry coming into the frontrow and Jack Donoghue starting at number eight, meaning captain CJ Stander moves to six with Tommy O’Donnell starting at seven.

And in the backs Darren Sweetnam starts on the right wing, joining Keith Earls and Simon Zebo in the back-three.

Connacht: Robbie Henshaw, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Matt Healy, Shane O'Leary, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Aly Muldowney, Sean O'Brien, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon. Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Ronan Loughney, JP Cooney, Andrew Browne, James Connolly, John Cooney, Jack Carty, Fionn Carr.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland; CJ Stander Capt., Tommy O'Donnell, Jack O'Donoghue. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jordan Coghlan, Tomás O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Andrew Conway.