STAND-IN Connacht boss Colm Tucker has warned his players to play the game and not the occasion when the Westerners host Munster in front of 26,000 fans in Castlebar.
Tucker, who is leading the management team while head coach Pete Wilkins is on sick leave, reckons it will be a wonderful occasion at MacHale Park — the home of Mayo GAA.
But he stressed his side cannot lose sight of the URC points at stake, with just five games left in the league.
Scrum and contact coach Tucker said: “The history and importance of this game is not lost on us.
“We appreciate and recognise what this fixture means to the people of Mayo and the wider province.
“All the players and management feel extremely fortunate to be involved.
“But we’re also aware of just how important this game is in the context of our overall season.
“If we can pick up the win against strong opposition, we’ll be in a good spot in a very tight league.
“It’s our job from top to bottom to deliver a performance befitting of the occasion, and with over 20,000 Connacht fans cheering the boys on, they will do everything in their power to back that up.”
What TV channel is Connacht vs Munster on?
Today’s clash will be shown live on TG4 and Premier Sports as well as being available to stream via URC.tv.
But the handiest streaming option for most people will be through the TG4 Player. Kick-off will be at 2:30pm.
What are the odds?
The home side are 17/10 while Munster are fancied at 8/15.
A draw is set at 19/1 while the handicap is +/-five points.
Further build-up:
Tucker’s cousin, Munster assistant coach Mossy Lawler, insists the Reds know what to expect in Castlebar.
Lawler said: “We’ve done our due diligence, but it’s a little bit of an unknown for us all for a rugby match in that stadium.”
Connacht will look to internationals Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and skipper Cian Prendergast.
Munster welcome back Ireland stars Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash, while Conor Murray is set for his 200th appearance.
CONNACHT: M Hansen; C Mullins; H Gavin, B Aki; F Treacy; J Ioane, C Blade; J Duggan, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Joyce, D Murray; C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, S Jansen.
Reps: D Tierney-Martin, D Buckley, J Aungier, J Murphy, P Boyle, M Devine, JJ Hanrahan, S Cordero.
MUNSTER: B O’Connor; C Nash, T Farrell, A Nankivell; S O’Brien; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, D Barron, O Jager; F Wycherley, T Beirne; T Ahern, J Hodnett, G Coombes.
Reps: N Scannell, J Wycherley, S Archer, J Kleyn, R Quinn, C Murray, R Scannell, A Kendellen.
