WHEN IT COMES to these two renewing battle lines, we often say it but this edition of the biggest rivalry in Irish rugby has all the ingredients to be a Christmas cracker.
St Stephen’s Day under the lights at a sold-out Thomond Park. Munster against Leinster, first against second in the Guinness Pro12. There’s no real need to hype this one up.
Leo Cullen’s side make the trip down to Limerick coming off the back impressive European performances and three successive victories over their southern rivals. Leinster are just beginning to motor again.
But Munster — rejuvenated, re-energised, rekindled — have been waiting for this one. Defeat at Welford Road last time out was a blot on an otherwise faultless copybook in recent months as they’ve rediscovered a swagger and new-found confidence.
It will be a record crowd for a Pro12 fixture at Thomond Park on Monday evening [KO 5.30pm, Sky Sports and TG4] for a much-anticipated fixture for both provinces.
For Munster, a chance to set the record straight and reinforce the general consensus that this side is going places under Rassie Erasmus. The fans, too, are yearning for success against Cullen’s charges who have held the upper hand in this particular rivalry in recent seasons.
Leinster, without many of their frontline internationals, arrive brimming with confidence after seizing control of their Champions Cup pool with two devastating wins over Northampton.
The likes of James Heaslip, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose may be absent but Cullen’s side still contains experience and quality across the board.
But there is the Thomond factor. Since the untimely passing of Anthony Foley, the famous venue has come alive again — and as have the team. Last week’s loss to Leicester was their first since the Munster legend was so tragically, and inexplicably, taken away from his family and friends in October.
Their winning momentum may have been temporarily halted but there is no greater incentive, or indeed a perfect match than Leinster at home, to seek vengeance.
They performed poorly at the Aviva Stadium in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season as the southern province never really turned up in a 25-14 defeat.
A lot has changed since then for both sides and you get the sense that this interpro is one that might actually live up to the billing.
Munster
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Jaco Taute
12. Rory Scannell
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Conor Murray
1. James Cronin
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Donnacha Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony (Captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander
Replacements
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Stephen Archer
19. Billy Holland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Francis Saili
23. Andrew Conway
Leinster
15. Zane Kirchner
14. Isa Nacewa (captain)
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Barry Daly
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy
2. James Tracy
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Ross Molony
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Richardt Strauss
17. Peter Dooley
18. Michael Bent
19. Ian Nagle
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Charlie Rock
22. Noel Reid
23. Tom Daly
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