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Ian Keatley dives over for a try against Leinster at Thomond Park last season. INPHO/Billy Stickland
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Shane Byrne: Thomond Park win over Leinster would be real coup for Munster

The former Ireland and Lions hooker believes Leinster’s star quality in the back row should see them edge tomorrow’s match.

MUNSTER VERSUS LEINSTER is traditionally scheduled for the week before the Heineken Cup begins and is a real wake-up weekend for Irish rugby.

[Munster captain] Peter O’Mahony said during the week that the game against Leinster, at Thomond Park, last April was the most physical game he played all season. That does not surprise me.

Both coaches have been gearing the squads up for this match, have fielded strong teams, and are looking to roll into the Heineken Cup on a high.

Leinster, although they are without Brian O’Driscoll this week, looked great against Cardiff last week and were very hungry. They looked dynamic with ball in hand. Munster started the season well and had a more routine win against Dragons having slipped up against Treviso.

Still, with a draw and a loss in their opening four games, the pressure will be on Leinster to maintain the form they showed last week. These interpro fixtures have been Leinster’s domain for the last few years — claiming four victories on the spin. A win at Thomond Park tomorrow would represent a real coup for Munster.

If you look at the Reds’ tries from their victory over Dragons, the two tries came directly from traditional, Munster rugby. They dominated in the scrum and their lineout maul was very effective. They will need to replicate that to have a chance against Leinster.

Last year did not go well for Rob Penney’s side in the RaboDirect Pro12 but Paul O’Connell came back from injury at the right time to instill that forwards dominated mentality. They still haven’t got the balance — between up-the-jumper rugby and sweeping backline moves — right but they are showing promising signs. They did not make big summer signings and have trusted in their Academy players.

The return of Donnacha Ryan to the starting line-up is a big boost for Munster but they will miss [substitute] Conor Murray’s presence. Muray had a fantastic Lions Tour and put his hand up, as one of the best scrumhalves in the world, out there.

imageConor Murray grapples for possession with Jamie Heaslip. INPHO/Billy Stickland

The biggest loss is one that does not come as a shock, of course, but will be felt for some time. Munster will take on their fiercest rivals without Ronan O’Gara, who was one of the best outhalves in the world at moving his team forward. I think Ian Keatley is the future for Munster, despite his current ding-dong for the 10 jersey with JJ Hanrahan.

The true battle of the game will be between the back rows. Leinster have been more settled in that department in recent years and have brought in some heavy-hitters in the form of Kevin McLaughlin and Sean O’Brien.

Securing quality ball and not giving away cheap possession will be the key factors in determining the winners. I would be leaning towards Leinster here and, with that in mind, for the result. They should just about edge what will be a full-throttle affair.

*Shane Byrne’s publication, Club Rugby Magazine is available monthly in the Irish Independent. You can also follow Shane on Twitter  @shanebyrneoffic

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