Munster Rugby welcome back Ireland stars for crucial Connacht clash

MUNSTER Rugby's Ireland stars are available for selection for Saturday's crucial United Rugby Championship interprovincial derby meeting with Connacht at Thomond Park, 7.35pm.

Captain Peter O’Mahony, second-row Tadhg Beirne and half-backs Jack Crowley and Craig Casey have returned to the province's High Performance Centre at UL following Ireland's Autumn Series win over Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.

Out-half Joey Carbery is also back in full training after missing the Wallabies win.

Munster also welcome back Keith Earls for what would be only his second outing of the season.

The province's attack coach Mike Prendergast said the internationals had returned in a positive manner following Ireland's clean sweep of wins in their Autumn Series fixtures.

“They’re available, they came back in (on Monday), came back in a positive manner, all in good form after quite a successful international series. They’re back in and available for selection,” Mike Prendergast said.

Munster face into a crucial 10-game block of fixtures which will see the side face crucial Heineken Champions Cup pool fixtures as well as URC games.

Munster's last outing was an impressive 28-14 victory over a South Africa Select XV side at Pairc Ui Chaoimh two weeks ago.

"We’ve used 55 players up to the South African game and it’s just getting the combinations. Fortunately, we can see that coming through in terms of players working with each other in certain positions, and you need that," Prendergast said.

The other side if it, it gave good exposure to some of the younger players that in the medium to long-term will stand to us.

"It gave us a few headaches going forward as well because a lot of those young players have performed well.

"Even in terms of training together, it's good to have numbers, good to have bodies back, and they're bringing enthusiasm and energy which is great and positive going forward."