Here we go. Leinster v Munster. All eyes on a windswept Aviva Stadium as Storm Boelo rages on.

It will ramp up as rivalries are renewed in this URC inter-provincial derby. Who will take the bragging rights?

Kick-off is at 6pm, with the action live on Premier Sports 1. We’ll keep you up to date right here.

Team News

Coin toss: Leinster's Dan Sheehan, referee Andrew Brace and Tadhg Beirne of Munster. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Leinster and Munster both named their teams on Thursday — and they are listed as such below, but we will update you in the unlikely event of late changes. 

Joey Carbery is set to make his first start since his return to Leinster at out-half, while Dan Sheehan interestingly shifts to number eight as he captains the eastern province for the first time. Elsewhere in a stacked Leinster XV, Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half for the first time this season. 

Munster, meanwhile, make seven changes from their win over Racing 92 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last weekend. Shane Daly, Josh Wycherley, Kieran Brookes, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen and Gavin Coombes all come into the team, while Seán O’Brien marks his 50th Munster appearance at outside centre.

Leinster

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Tommy O’Brien
13. Jamie Osborne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Jimmy O’Brien
10. Joey Carbery
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Dan Sheehan – captain

Replacements:

16. Gus McCarthy
17. Alex Usanov
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
20. Scott Penny
21. Fintan Gunne
22. Caspar Gabriel
23. Charlie Tector

Munster

15. Ben O’Connor
14. Shay McCarthy
13. Seán O’Brien
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Shane Daly
10. Charlie O’Shea
9. Craig Casey

1. Josh Wycherley
2. Marnus van der Merwe
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Fineen Wycherley
5. Tadhg Beirne – captain
6. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Alex Kendellen
8. Gavin Coombes.

Replacements:

16. Max Clein
17. Mark Donnelly
18. Michael Ala’alatoa
19. Seán Edogbo
20. Brian Gleeson
21. Ben O’Donovan
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Gordon Wood

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU).​​

Last season stung Leo Cullen’s side badly. They won’t have forgotten Gavin Coombes running off after his yellow card and pumping his fist to the crowd as he smiled, knowing Munster had done the job.

Gavin Coombes celebrates last season's win at Croke Park. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO

So there are many, many reasons that this is a particularly interesting edition of the Leinster v Munster saga.

Leinster are favourites to make a statement, with Munster seeking another shock.

Sheehan the 8, Carbery’s return and Munster’s tough task in Dublin: Read Murray Kinsella’s match preview here. 

Murray and Ciarán Kennedy are both at Aviva Stadium for us this evening, Emma Duffy here on liveblog duty.

Here’s Leinster head coach Leo Cullen speaking to Premier Sports before kick-off.

Cullen says Sam Prendergast was due to play this week, but he picked up a wrist injury on Monday. Also hails “amazing footballer” Dan Sheehan as he starts at number eight.

🔵 @leinsterrugby head coach Leo Cullen ahead of their clash against Munster "Sam was due to play this week" 🗣️ https://t.co/cr3sCOlTAP

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) October 24, 2026

And here are the pre-match thoughts of Munster boss Clayton McMillan.

“Inter-pros always feel a little bit different, there’s a lot at stake… there’s a huge legacy around Munster-Leinster games, so the boys are excited.”

🔴 @Munsterrugby head coach Clayton McMillan speaks ahead of a crucial clash with Leinster "There's alot at stake" 🗣️ https://t.co/JQOy2CXggp

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) October 24, 2026

Five minute warning!

Kick-off is fast approaching, so it’s time to call it…

The teams are out on the pitch. No late changes, both sides start as named earlier this week. 40,000 tickets sold for this one. Kick-off imminent.

KICK-OFF! Munster’s Charlie O’Shea gets us underway.

Leinster 0-0 Munster 

2 mins - Leinster clear their lines early doors, JGP from the kick-off and then Hugo Keenan as Munster look to get going – he can’t find touch but fends the visitors off for now.

Leinster 0-0 Munster 

4 mins – Keenan is under pressure again, but this slightly-sliced clearance finds touch. Good work from O’Shea pinning Leinster back with a clever kick, the youngster making a bright start on the big stage.

Leinster 0-0 Munster 

6 mins - Munster moving through the phases and edging their way towards the Leinster ’22 as they look to make an early impact…

Shay McCarthy with a big carry, before a cross-field kick to the corner is cut out. Back for the penalty, opportunity for Munster to get off the mark.

Leinster 0-3 Munster (Charlie O’Shea penalty, 7 mins)

First blood Munster, as O’Shea nails the penalty from about 25 meters in tricky conditions. Just rewards for their positive start.

Leinster 0-3 Munster 

8 mins - A lovely moment of applause as the late Anthony Foley is remembered at Aviva Stadium. 

⏱️ | 8' Both sets of fans mark the tenth anniversary of Anthony Foley's passing last week with a round of applause during the eighth minute 👏 🔵🔵 0-3 🔴🔴 #LEIvMUN

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 24, 2026

Leinster 0-3 Munster 

10 mins – Referee Andrew Brace speaks to both captains, unhappy with players in his here. “No more, James,” Brace says to Leinster’s Ryan as he heads on his way.

Comes after a Tadhg Beirne knock-on, and the first scrum of the day going Leinster’s way.

Leinster 0-3 Munster 

12 mins - Munster’s early dominance continues as Andrew Porter goes early in the scrum and JGP gifts them a line-out. But Leinster are defending well, forcing their hosts to kick and dealing accordingly.

Leinster 0-3 Munster

15 mins – Big Leinster turnover at the ruck, just as Munster looked to be making a good attacking platform off a line-out. The home crowd enjoyed that one.

Leinster 0-3 Munster

17 mins - Turnover at the other end, Kendellen stripping Carbery, and a huge crossfield kick leaves Leinster scrambling but Kelleher holds his nerve. After cagey opening exchanges, this game is starting to open up a little more.

Leinster 0-3 Munster

20 mins - Leinster’s first real attack comes off the back of a 30m scrum – when JGP’s kick was fumbled by Ben O’Connor, and the full-back makes a huge recovery to do enough to keep them out with the try-line at their mercy.

Leinster 0-3 Munster 

21 mins – Munster are soon on the back foot once more, before Josh Wycherley steps up with another big turnover. They still lead thanks to O’Shea’s early penalty.

Munster's Tadhg Beirne receives the ball from a line out. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Leinster 0-3 Munster

24 mins - Munster with a nice, clean move down the left wing, but Joey Carbery deals with Shane Daly’s dinked kick accordingly. The Leinster 10 is then kicking himself to get his side going, both sides yet to score a try. A breakthrough looks imminent for Leo Cullen’s side, but Gavin Coombes is the latest to step up.

TRY! Leinster 0-8 Munster (Shane Daly, 27 mins)

What a try from Munster, what a finish from Shane Daly!

Superb work through the hands, with Daly sent through – he still has a huge amount of work to do, fending off Leinster bodies and finishing with aplomb. 

O’Shea converts, 10-0 Munster.

Leinster 0-13 Munster (Charlie O’Shea penalty, 30 mins)

From waaaaay out. Some kick from the young Munster out-half.

Leinster 0-13 Munster 

33 mins - Leinster look to hit back and are nearing the try-line, as referee Andrew Brace gets caught up in the action and hits the deck. He’s good to continue, Leinster scrum 5m out.

TRY! Leinster 5-13 Munster (Tommy O’Brien, 33 mins)

JGP with a sublime pass off the back of the scrum out to O’Brien wide right, who finishes with ease. 

Carbery can’t add the extras, so it stays 13-5 to Munster.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

37 mins - Leinster on the hunt for more. Kendellen – who has been brilliant – makes a rare mistake and spills the ball, handing them the initiative back. They’re moving through the phases as, ‘Leinster, Leinster’ rings out. Can they add another try before the break?

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

38 mins – Not on this occasion… Joe McCarthy knocks it on.

Brace says there has been an accusation of a player being grabbed in the groin area, so the TMO is taking a look.

Munster replacement - Wood for O’Brien.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

40 mins – Nothing clear, for now, so play continues. Munster think they have cleared their lines, but the blue wave returns as they win a line out. One last chance before the break?

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

40 mins +2 – Munster with another big defensive effort to keep them out, and they celebrate a turnover as the half-time whistle sounds.

HT: Leinster 5-13 Munster

Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

So Munster head for the dressing rooms much the happier side, with a 13-5 lead. Shane Daly’s breakthrough try in the 27th minute was superb, while Charlie O’Shea was perfect off the tee as they stormed into a 13-0 advantage.

Tommy O’Brien hit back for Leinster after Jamison Gibson-Park’s brilliant pass, but Joey Carbery couldn’t add the extras. Munster have been superb defensively, brining huge physicality. “Vicious,” as Simon Zebo said on commentary. Expect a Leinster backlash after the break. A huge second half to come, how will it go?

Here’s a look at the tries:

It's a wonderful @Munsterrugby try 🔴 Shane Daly with a superb finish for the first try of the game 💥 https://t.co/yl0VTfWFX5

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) October 24, 2026

Tommy O'Brien hits back for @leinsterrugby 🔵 A lovely cross field kick from Jamison Gibson-Park in the build up 🔥 https://t.co/hQBQ0chEUt

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) October 24, 2026

SECOND-HALF: Carbery gets us underway again.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

41 mins – One half-time replacement for Leinster, Tector for Jimmy O’Brien, who has gone for a HIA.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

42 mins – Leinster with the early second-half possession, looking to maul off a line out around the middle, but JGP is held up and Coombes comes up with another big turnover.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

45 mins – Good play from Munster off the scrum, Ben O’Connor eventually kick chasing but he’s unfortunate to knock on in the backfield. Leinster run it out from the scrum, but it’s brought back for a penalty. Carbery finds touch around the middle, and they look to use this attacking platform. 

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

48 mins – Munster penalty. Brace is having more words with the players, this time it’s Kelleher for his reaction. TMO looking at a dangerous tackle, which reverses the aforementioned pen. Lots going on.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

49 mins – Carbery messes up a cross-field kick, but Leinster had a penalty advantage, so he goes to the corner.

Jimmy O’Brien will not return, Tector stays on.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

50 mins - Another Leinster penalty 5m out, and a Munster warning – after Carbery and Keenan fluff their lines. They opt to tap and go…

Leinster think they are there, we go to the TMO!

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

50 mins – No try as the TMO deems it inconclusive, 5m scrum.

It’s an action in the build-up involving Porter in the spotlight, whether he knocked it on or not. He looked to have, off the post, but they’re pondering over some angles.

Leinster 5-13 Munster 

52 mins – First 5m scrum leads to Munster penalty, they scrum again after more words from Brace. Shay McCarthy with a massive hit on Carbery. We go again…

TRY! Leinster 10-13 Munster (Ryan Baird, 55 mins)

Leinster eventually make their pressure pay, with Baird credited. JGP goes direct from the scrum but is stopped just short – and with another advantage – the try eventually comes.

Nankivell sees yellow after repeated Munster infringements, Carbery adds the extras to make it 12-13.

Leinster 12-13 Munster 

58 mins – That could yet be a major swing, but Munster have responded pretty well. Seán Edogbo, Brian Gleeson and Mark Donnelly enter as reinforcements.

Joey Carbery in action. Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO

Leinster 12-13 Munster 

62 mins – Leinster on the march, with Carbery punching through, but Tadhg Beirne steps up with another huge turnover. The tackles made flash up on the screen: 145 Munster, 67 Leinster. 

Clarkson and McCarthy come in for Leinster, Michael Alaalatoa the latest Munster player added to the action.

TRY! Leinster 17-13 Munster (Charlie Tector, 63 mins)

Again, Leinster make their pressure – and numerical advantage – pay. They go close twice or three times, change the point of attack, and eventually JGP sends Tector through. Ultimately came from a Munster line out mishap. 

Carbery’s conversion attempt comes off the post, so the scoreline remains 17-13.

Leinster 17-13 Munster 

68 mins – Leinster back on the front foot, but there’s too much on Carbery’s grubber which runs over the try-line. Kelleher, Gibson-Parlk, Fineen Wycherley, Kendellen and Casey all nominated for Man of the Match on Premier Sports.

Munster replacements - O’Donovan and Hanrahan come in as a fresh half-back partnership. 

Leinster changes - Penny for JVDF, Gunne for O’Brien, who has been receiving treatment.

Here’s a look at Tector’s try for Leinster:

🔵 @leinsterrugby force their way over and take the lead! Charlie Tector with the try 💪 https://t.co/UK5HGbOaF9

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) October 24, 2026

Leinster 17-13 Munster 

70 mins – The medical cart is on the field for Shane Daly, I missed it in real time but it seems he went down in distress.

Play paused as Charlie O’Shea comes back in to replace Daly, and players chat among themselves.

Leinster 17-13 Munster 

70 mins – Daly is clapped off the field. Thoughts with the Munster wing.

Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO

Leinster 17-13 Munster 

72 mins - Leinster force a penalty from the scrum as we resume, and Carbery finds touch 5m out with a superb kick. Munster win the line out but cough up possession almost immediately after, and Leinster keep knocking on the door…

TRY! Leinster 22-13 Munster (Jamie Osborne, 74 mins)

JGP the architect once more, with a huge looping pass wide left to Osborne. Shades of their opening try, and that’s the bonus point secured.

Carbery adds the extras with a tricky conversion, and it’s 24-13.

Leinster 24-13 Munster

75 mins - Just to confirm the above scoreline is correct, there were some technical difficulties with the last update!

Leinster replacement - Caspar Gabriel comes in for Carbery, who gets a good reception. 

Leinster 24-13 Munster 

78 mins – The game is just petering out now, the atmosphere fairly tame. JGP is announced as Man of the Match.

Leinster 24-13 Munster

80 mins – One last chance for Munster after great work from McCarthy to win a penalty, which O’Shea sends to touch, 20 metres or so out. They’re on the march, with the clock in the red…

TRY! Leinster 24-18 Munster (Ben O’Connor, 80 mins)

Munster get their losing bonus point, a lovely try finished by Ben O’Connor in the corner.

No conversion, so it finishes 24-18.

FT: Leinster 24-18 Munster 

Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

So, that’s that. A game of two halves, as Leinster up the ante in the second period and ultimately run out deserving winners. A valiant effort from Munster, who take a losing bonus point.

That’s all for our live coverage, but Murray Kinsella’s match report will be on The 42 imminently. Himself and Ciarán Kennedy will have plenty more from Aviva Stadium thereafter. 

Thanks so much for reading – enjoy the rest of your Saturday night!