Celtic League: Munster v Connacht Thomond Park, 5.0, Sun: In the context of Connacht's season and their ambition to one day play in the Heineken Cup it is impossible to overstate the importance of this match.

The IRFU's undertaking to let the final Magners League standings each season determine the three Irish provinces that qualify for the elite European competition for the following campaign has given a new resonance to the Celtic League.

As things stand, Connacht find themselves five points ahead of their hosts in Limerick tomorrow, having played one game more. If they were to win this match, it would not only act as a huge confidence fillip but also establish a significant gap between the provinces.

Munster are likely to be missing their international continent for much of the remaining segment of the Celtic campaign, a not inconsiderable handicap.

That's not the case tomorrow, however, as five players who lined out for Ireland in the recent Test series - David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Frankie Sheahan and Ronan O'Gara - return to the starting line-up.

Coach Declan Kidney has elected to leave another three - John Hayes, Paul O'Connell and Peter Stringer - on the bench, where they are joined by South African Trevor Halstead.

In all there are eight changes from the side that beat the Ospreys and this game will herald the return of the former All Black Christian Cullen. He is named at fullback and his rehabilitation has allowed Kidney to give Shaun Payne a deserved rest.

Lifeimi Mafi reverts to inside centre to allow for the return to the starting line-up of Barry Murphy.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley makes five changes - there will be six if Stephen Knoop, who undergoes a late fitness test, is promoted to the starting XV - that sees captain John Fogarty, Ray Hogan and Colm Rigney return to the pack and Mark McHugh and Conor McPhillips restored to the backline.

The tone for this game will be set up front, where the Connacht eight are going to have to be at their abrasive best.

It will be a huge challenge, but in players like David Gannon, Andrew Farley, Ray Ofisa and the underrated Johnny Muldoon they possess players with the requisite attitude.

The afternoon is sure to provide an interesting midfield battle that will reunite two friends who played alongside each other at Ireland under-21 - Keith Matthews and Barry Murphy - but now find themselves in opposition.

Munster cannot afford to give away penalty opportunities as Mark McHugh is a fine place-kicker, but the suspicion is that they will have a little bit too much up front in both the starting line-up and from the bench to allow Ronan O'Gara and his team-mates dictate the outcome of the match.

MUNSTER:C Cullen; J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, A Horgan; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; D Hurley, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: A Kyriacou, J Hayes, P O'Connell, T McGann, P Stringer, J Manning, T Halstead.

CONNACHT:D Riordan; C McPhillips, P Warwick, K Matthews, D Yapp; M McHugh, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty (capt), B Sturgess/Knoop; D Gannon, A Farley; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, C Rigney. Replacements: A Flavin, B Wilkinson, R Strudwick, B O'Connor, C O'Loughlin, G Williams, J Hearty.

Referee:Donal Courtney (IRFU).

Recent meetings- September 2004 at Musgrave Park: Munster 27 Connacht 27; December 2004 at the Sportsground: Connacht 0 Munster 3; October 2005 at the Sportsground: Connacht 19 Munster 44; December 2005 at Thomond Park: Munster 36 Connacht 17.

Leading points scorers:Munster - Jeremy Manning 55. Connacht - Mark McHugh 88.

Leading try scorers:Munster - David Wallace 2. Connacht - Matt Mostyn 4.

Verdict:Munster to win.