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Connacht and Munster will go head to head on Saturday afternoon in a historic fixture at Mayo GAA's MacHale Park.

Both sides are desperate for a win in the BKT URC, coming off the back of tough losses last weekend.

Only three points separates the sides in the league table, despite Munster being in sixth position and Connacht in 12th. A win could see Connacht leapfrog their provincial rivals, and they’ll be hoping to feed off the novelty and excitement around the fixture to give themselves an edge.

A change of stadium is nothing new for Munster. They faced Leinster in Croke Park this season already. They’ve also played a South African XV and the Crusaders in their visits to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.

There’s a huge appetite for games to be moved around the provinces. For anyone not living close to Thomond Park or the Dexcom Stadium, moving a game closer to their home provides access and inclusivity. It’s a great initiative to connect with more fans around the province and provide opportunities for both the supporters and the organisation.

For Connacht, the increased capacity will bring a buzz and excitement, leveraging the support of their province with a 25,000-seater stadium.

"Selling out home matches and competing in European games is a huge advantage financially, which is why Munster have been proactive in fixing extra clashes against touring sides."

The Sportsground was always limited, hence the redevelopment, and while the players have played in much larger stadia, facing a rival in front of a much bigger home crowd will undoubtedly give them an lift.

It's assumed that there’s also a financial advantage with a much larger capacity. Sports teams generate the majority of their income from ticket sales. Selling out home matches