As the battle for the top 8 in the URC heats up, the season’s marquee clash takes centre stage in round 15. The age-old interprovincial rivalry between Munster and Leinster is re-ignited in Thomond Park this Saturday night, and it should be one to look forward to.
Tabletoppers Leinster have had an imperfect URC season so far, but last week’s thrashing of Connacht proved they are still the team to beat. Munster also had a fairly convincing win last weekend. They put 50 points on Benetton in Musgrave Park, but it wasn’t until the 2nd half that they pulled clear. With a Heineken Cup run, interpros and Leinster’s trip down south, this is the defining point of the season for both sides.
In my opinion, this is still the greatest fixture in Irish rugby. Some say it’s a dead rivalry, but I don’t agree. Despite Leinster’s dominance, this is still an enthralling clash between two sides who typically play contrasting styles of rugby. Since the dawn of professionalism it’s been a case of Leinster’s flashy backs versus Munster’s burly forwards. Still though, there’s less between these sides than results may have you believe. Or at least that’s the false hope I’m filling myself with.
It’s worth noting that this is the refixed St. Stephens’ Day game, which was cancelled due to Covid. These games generally favour Leinster as the internationals are away, but now the big guns are back. No doubt Leinster have more returnees, but in general games between fully-stacked teams are close affairs. Excluding Munster’s win over a reshuffled win in the Rainbow Cup last year, there has been no more than 10 points between the teams in 3 seasons. When they’re locked and loaded, this is an encounter between two of the top teams in Europe.
Our hosts have been heavily scrutinised this season, no more so than during the mid-season malaise, but things seemed to have turned around since. Yes they fell to successive losses down in South Africa, but without a host of big names, that was no surprise, and mightn’t lose any ground to those around them in doing so. Remove that rescheduled trip, and they’ve won 8 of their last 10 games (including Heineken Champions Cup), which is a solid return.
The away defeats at Connacht and Glasgow were a bit of a no show, but the other games were much more positive. 4 try bonus point victories over Wasps and Edinburgh as well as 50+ point hauls against Benetton and the Dragons showed green shoots in Munster’s attack.
As excitement builds, Munster look set to welcome back some key names, both internationals and injured returnees. The always influential Damian De Allende and Jason Jenkins starred last week, with Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Dave Kilcoyne, Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne all waiting to grace the Thomond Park field again. Unfortunately though, there is a mini-injury crisis to overcome . With a massively important European double header against Exeter coming up, there might be a balance struck with no risks taken. As things stand, Mike Haley, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway, Simon Zebo, Tadhg Beirne and Jean Kleyn are touch and go as they recover from knocks. The make-up for the side should be interesting, especially with this being week 1 of a tough stretch.
As for the ever-dominant Leinster, well what can you say? Last week’s win over Connacht was not only a massive psychological blow before Europe, but it also made people take notice. Within about half an hour of play they tore open Connacht, without their first teamers. Instead it was Jimmy O’Brien, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne and David Hawkshaw who helped the men from the east pull clear.
The last time we saw a fully fledged Leinster XV play was probably the European Cup games, and although they were against inferior opposition, they scored 153 points in 160 minutes of rugby. They won’t have it that easy against Munster, who have held them to 16 or less points in 5 of the last 6 encounters.
Leinster will welcome back a host of internationals, with some eager to keep up their good form. Dan Sheehan had a coming of age tournament, and will want to stake a claim to become Leinster’s starting hooker. The Irish starting back row are also back, but won’t have it all their own way against Munster’s trio. Outside there’s Lions and internationals aplenty, including Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. Even if they shake things up slightly, playing the long game; they are still a dangerous side.
This Saturday’s game is a classic case of need versus want. Leinster will want to win and keep a distance between themselves and their chasers; while Munster need a result in at least one of the three interpros they have before the end of the URC season. Munster haven’t won back to back games against Leinster since 2015, so a win will take a massive performance, but as I have said before; if they want to finally break their trophy duct, they need to beat the best.
I believe Munster can turn-over the reigning Pro14 champions, but only if the injury doubts are fit. Munster are starting to click and play nice rugby; and have some key players finding form. The next few weeks will define the Johann Van Graan era, so start it right. Leinster are no pushover but are rather the standard bearers. Can they just make wholesale changes and expect everything to work? I kind of hope not, but I think they will.
Prediction: Leinster by 4
Caolan S Rugby 
Leave a comment