Truthfully, it mightn't be as straight-forward as all that.

Although their bevy of internationals are back in the stable for this weekend's game, they'll be missing for another two games, at least, during the Six Nations and the shadow squad simply aren't good enough to guarantee a victory on either weekend. The province are unlikely to win all the fixtures their internationals are available for, either, so Connacht would do well not to lose heart and put everything into getting something out of this evening's visit to Thomond Park.

They haven't beaten their more illustrious neighbours away from home in 25 attempts since 1986, and Bradley has shuffled his deck somewhat as they attempt to put an end to that sequence.

Mark McHugh starts at outhalf, with Paul Warwick switching to 13 and with Daniel Riordan and Conor McPhillips named at wing and full-back respectively, there's certainly plenty of attacking threat in Connacht's starting line-up.

Munster have opted to leave John Hayes and Paul O'Connell on the bench after their November international excursions, but the presence of Donncha O'Callaghan, Frankie Sheahan and a backrow combination of Alan Quinlan, David Wallace and Denis Leamy in the starting line-up, ensures that the Connacht eight will have their work cutout to gain anything close to parity in the forward battle.

The visitors will also have their work cut-out keeping an eye on Ronan O'Gara . . . he of the new four-year contract . . .

who's been in scintillating form of late and who captains his province this evening. Barry Murphy and Lifemi Mafi are paired in the centre for the first time, with Trevor Halstead named on the bench, but the most interesting selection of all is that of Christian Cullen at full-back.

There's no two ways about it, Cullen's latest comeback represents the former All Black's last opportunity to impress in a Munster shirt. If he can't find his form in the next few weeks, or suffers some manner of injury setback, his days with the province, and in professional rugby in general, will be all but over. There'll hardly be a supporter in Thomond Park, from either Connacht or Munster, who won't be willing the Kiwi to succeed and while Munster should come through this one with comparative ease, a victory would taste a little sweeter if Cullen gets through the 80 minutes and shows a glimpse or two of what he's capable of.

MUNSTER C Cullen; J Kelly, B Murphy, L Ma, A Horgan; R O'Gara (c), T O'Leary; D Hurley, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy CONNACHT D Riordan; C McPhillips, P Warwick, K Matthews, D Yapp; M McHugh, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty (c), S Knoop, D Gannon, A Farley, J Muldoon, R O"sa, C Rigney

MAGNERS LEAGUE MUNSTER v CONNACHT Thomond Park, 5.00 Referee: D Courtney (IRFU)