Though Munster sit three points clear at the top of the table, McGahan is under no illusions over the size of the task facing his side at the Sportsground.

"There is no difference in the scale of difficulty when you play against any of the other Irish sides,” he said.

"They are local derbies, simple as that, and that gives them that extra edge.

"Playing Connacht is every bit as tough as playing Ulster in Ravenhill or Leinster in Dublin.

"We only have to remember past games down at the Sportsground to realise what we'll be up against.”