Michael Swift and 22-year-old centre Eoin Griffin have both returned from injury and are listed among the replacements.

In contrast,  Penney fields a much changed side from the one that ran out against Saracens and welcomes back from injury Denis Hurley, Tommy O'Donnell, both named in the starting XV, and Sean Dougall who is named on the bench. Dave Kilcoyne has also recovered from the stomach bug that forced him out of last Sunday's game.

Penney is fully aware of the task facing his side. "Connacht have had a few years of Heineken Cup experience now. They've matured as a group and playing us up there on their home track is something they'll be relishing.

"So yes it's a difficult prospect but no more difficult than the RaboDirect PRO12 generally.

It's a tough robust competition and if you don't prepare well you'll pay the price.

So the focus for us this week was making sure that we're doing all we can to get the right lads in the right spot given that it's a short turnaround (from the Saracens game)." 

Connacht: R Henshaw; T O'Halloran, D Poolman, D McSharry, F Vainikolo; D Parks, K Marmion; B Wilkinson, J Harris-Wright, N White (capt); G Naoupu, M McCarthy; A Browne, J O'Connor, E McKeon. Replacements: E Reynecke, D Buckley, R Loughney, M Swift, E Grace, P O'Donohue, M Jarvis, E Griffin.

Munster: D Hurley; J Murphy, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, P Stringer; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, B Holland; P Butler, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan (capt). Replacements: S Henry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, D Foley, S Dougall, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, D Barnes.

Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)