Pro12 teams: Big guns back for Munster

Anthony Foley has made five changes to the Munster team to play Connacht at the Sportsground on New Year's Day (5pm), with Ireland internationals Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony and Simon Zebo all set to start.

The trio were rested for the St Stephen's Day victory over Leinster as part of the IRFU's Player Welfare Programme.

In the front row, BJ Botha trades places with Stephen Archer and packs down next to John Ryan and Duncan Casey, while in the second row O'Connell renews his partnership with Billy Holland.

Holland will make his 100th appearance for the province in Galway since making his debut in September 2007 against Scarlets, and becomes the sixth player in the current squad to reach the milestone.

With O'Mahony returning to captain the team at blindside, CJ Stander makes the positional switch to 8 and Tommy O'Donnell retains his place at openside.

The changes to the backline see JJ Hanrahan start at 12 for the second time in as many weeks while Zebo starts at fullback for the first time this season.

Gerhard van den Heever underwent his knee surgery on Monday and will commence rehabilitation once initial post-op recovery is complete.

Munster XV (v Connacht): Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Pat Howard, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Billy Holland, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dave O'Callaghan, Neil Cronin, Rory Scannell, Ivan Dineen.

Connacht coach Pat Lam makes seven changes to the team that lost 13-10 to Ulster on St Stephen's Day.

The international trio of Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You all return.

All Black centurion Mils Muliaina starts at full-back while Galway man Darragh Leader moves to the right wing with Danie Poolman on the left.

Bundee Aki shifts to inside-centre to partner Henshaw for the second time this season while 24-year-old Craig Ronaldson is handed the reigns at outhalf.

Denis Buckley is named at loosehead prop for his 15th appearance of the season and starts in a front row with hooker Tom McCartney and Ah You at tighthead.

Quinn Roux returns form the ankle injury that forced him to withdraw late in Belfast last week, and partners try-scorer Aly Muldowney in the second row.

Eoin McKeon has recovered from injury to take his place at Number 8 in a back row with flankers John Muldoon and Willie Faloon.

Lam said: "I've always said that it is so important that we are comfortable adapting our style of play to suit the different conditions and opposition over a long season.

"Tomorrow we face a very direct and physical Munster side with an excellent kicking game. They are undefeated in the interpro games, going back-to-back against Leinster and beating Ulster.

"The changes to our own team reflect the game plan we have devised to try and combat the big challenge ahead.

"It's been six years since we've beaten Munster and only once in the last 41 meetings. We know how big a test this is. It's going to be a very special atmosphere at a sold out Sportsground and like our supporters, we are all massively excited for this game."

Connacht XV (v Munster): Mils Muliaina; Darragh Leader, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Danie Poolman; Craig Ronaldson, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Rodney Ah You; Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney; John Muldoon (captain), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, George Naoupu, John Cooney,Miah Nikora, Dave McSharry.

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