With news of Simon Zebo's departure at the end of the season, all eyes have been on Munster over the past 24 hours.
Connacht will also have their sights set on the province for different reasons though as the two teams go head to head in a Guinness Pro 14 inter-pro clash at the Sportsground on Friday night.
Connacht's recent record against Munster has been reasonably good and head coach Kieran Keane spoke of his awareness of the significance of these derbies.
"It's become clear to me that these local derbies are very important to the guys so boys are putting their hands up. They all want to play so that brings a lot of excitement," he said at the Connacht press conference on Tuesday morning.
"I'm excited by the occasion as much as they are."
Connacht head coach Kieran Keane ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
With the restructuring of the league, there is a slightly greater proportion of games that come in a derby form. While that raises intensity around key games, Keane does not see that as a negative.
"It's a great thing personally because everybody's trying to get a green shirt or aspiring to do that sort of thing and this is the forum they can shine on, so it brings out the best in everybody as far as I'm concerned," he said.
Keane has emphasised more rotation and he admitted that "it is new to" the Connacht players and that he has been "open and transparent" with them in regards to the rationale in making changes to the team.
"We don't want to have to rely on a single team. That brings a whole lot of different difficulties, if you like, and other pressures too," he said.
"It provides a much more enjoyable atmosphere inside the club. It allows people to aspire to be the best they can be."
He also touched on the Connacht Eagles' 71-14 loss to Ealing Trailfinders in the British & Irish Cup, describing it as an "embarrassment" and that he has sat down with the backs and forwards for a review of that performance.
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