THE AVIVA STADIUM hasn’t seen a truly classic match yet. We’ve had Ireland stuttering past Andorra, Argentina edging out Ireland in a dull contest and the madness of the combined provinces and Manchester United v Airtricity League XI matches.
All of the matches have been memorable, but only for the venue. Can we trust in Leinster and Munster, then, to serve up what the Aviva Stadium needs?
In a week of nothing but bad news on the banking and political fronts, rugby fans will be hoping for a national panacea.
And all the signs point to a great match. Munster are in good form for one thing, while Leinster have been utterly dire of late. In derby matches though, form counts for nothing. Psychology takes on a whole new dimension in these matches.
Kilkenny has been a breeding ground for ‘Lunsters’ lately- those born in Leinster who support Munster (much to the dismay of Leinster fans). But a phrase being uttered around the Eastern province today will be familiar to the inhabitants of that hurling stronghold.
The Drive for Five.
Should Leinster win today, it will mark their fifth consecutive win at senior level over Munster. This is one thing that Munster fans would be loath to give their Eastern counterparts.
It isn’t just the Munster fans, either, who are hoping beyond hope to deny the Blues a win in the Aviva Stadium this evening. “Obviously we’ll have looked back on those Leinster games, but it’s their recent stuff that is relevant to this game” says Munster captain Denis Leamy. “They’ll get no points for what they did last year” says Leamy in reference to his side’s successive losses, “the points that are on offer are for this one.”
Another phrase likely to be uttered around Dublin 4 today is one which has been long-favoured by Leinster- triscadecaphobia- the fear of the number thirteen.
Brian O’Driscoll always carries that fear factor. His form, in tandem with the whole Leinster team, hasn’t been great recently but he will captain his side into the derby regardless. “Obviously they’re the ones who have brought good form into the fixture” concedes O’Driscoll. “We feel as if we’ve left a lot of the best of our rugby behind us in the last few weeks and we’ve got a point as players to prove.”
That point that needs proving? “We haven’t become a bad team overnight, we just need to do the simple things well. I think a huge onus is on player responsibility this week.”
Points of a different kind will be of more pressing concern to the Leinster management. During Leinster’s last two losses to Treviso and Edinburgh, kicking has been poor. The return of Jonny Sexton will be key. Sexton may not start, as he has not been officially named in the starting XV.
Sexton’s uncle Willie once lined out in the colours of Munster, but all memories of heroes of yesteryear will be momentarily eclipsed for Munster this evening when Alan Quinlan takes to the pitch.
Quinlan will tonight equal Anthony Foley’s record of 201 competitive appearances for the southern province.
