Munster travel to Galway to face Connacht in a decisive URC derby, aiming to lock play-off position with injuries looming.
MUNSTER are looking to confirm their place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs when they travel to Galway to take on Connacht in the final inter-provincial derby of the regular season.. After off-field headlines dominated their break week from action, Clayton McMillan will be hoping for another statement on the pitch after the dominant 41-14 win over Ulster last time out.. Saturday’s game at the Sportsground in Galway kicks off at 7.45.. With Connacht sitting
in ninth place, their season hangs on by a thread.. For Munster, a third win in a row will secure a play-off position – and a place in the Champions Cup next season.. “I think we won’t be patting ourselves on the back after [the win over Ulster],” McMillan said.. “We’re well aware that there’s still some huge challenges ahead of us.. But we won’t be the only team in that boat.. There’ll be a
lot.. “I think outside the top maybe two or three, they probably can count themselves in, and everyone else is scrapping for whatever points they can get.. So we just need to worry about ourselves.. Obviously this week is an opportunity to take stock and then we have to prepare for an ever-improving Connacht side.” READ NEXT: Munster Rugby announce starting team for crunch Connacht fixture On the less optimistic side, the injuries are piling
up at the end of a long and physical season.. Second row Jean Kleyn, wing Calvin Nash, centre Tom Farrell and prop Oli Jager are all the players who may have an had a premature end to their seasons.. Munster will be hopeful that Beirne and Jack Crowley will be looking to return for the round 18 game on May 16 game when the Lions from South Africa are in Limerick.. Two wins for Munster
in their last two games will secure a top-four finish and a home URC quarter-final.. But first things first – they need to secure a top-eight berth and European rugby next season.