Precious GUINNESS PRO12 points and interprovincial bragging rights will be on the line at a packed out Thomond Park as table toppers Munster try to avenge October’s defeat to arch rivals Leinster.
GUINNESS PRO12: Monday, December 26
MUNSTER (1st) v LEINSTER (2nd), Thomond Park, 5.30pm (live TG4/Sky Sports 2 HD)
Team News: James Cronin, Jean Kleyn and Ronan O’Mahony are all included in Munster’s team to face Leinster, with Francis Saili in line to make his first appearance of the season if sprung from the bench.
New Zealander Saili is fit to play in this evening’s GUINNESS PRO12 derby at Thomond Park after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of last season.
The two changes in the pack see Cronin join last week’s try scorer Niall Scannell and John Ryan in the front row, while big South African Kleyn will partner Donnacha Ryan in the second row.
It is as you were with the all-international back row of captain Peter O’Mahony, Tommy O’Donnell and CJ Stander, and there is no change to the half-back pairing of Tyler Bleyendaal and Conor Murray.
Winger O’Mahony, who was the 24th man in Leicester last weekend, takes the place of Keith Earls in an otherwise unchanged back-line.
In supporting Munster’s nominated charities for this season, Diabetes Ireland and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, one euro from each match programme sold at Munster’s St. Stephen’s Day encounter with Leinster will be donated to these worthy causes.
In keeping with previous years, the round 11 interprovincial fixture has been nominated as Munster’s official ‘Charity Match’. During half-time, representatives from Diabetes Ireland and Alzheimer Society of Ireland will each be presented with a signed Munster jersey.
Match programmes will be on sale at Thomond Park on matchday and cost €;5, with €;1 from each match programme sold donated to the respective charities.
Meanwhile, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made a total of ten changes for the St. Stephen’s Day game against Munster. He retains four of the backs that faced Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup last week, but captain Isa Nacewa swaps wings in the only positional switch.
Robbie Henshaw continues in the centre but is partnered this week by Academy member Rory O’Loughlin. The latter, who wins his tenth cap for Leinster, scored a try in both the home and away matches against Northampton.
Ross Byrne starts again in the number 10 jersey and the former Ireland Under-20 international is joined from the start this week by Maori All Black Jamison Gibson Park.
Cian Healy, hooker James Tracy and Tadhg Furlong form an all-international front row. Furlong is the only forward retained from last week’s starting line-up.
Ross Molony and Mike McCarthy start together in the second row, while the back row trio of Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan complete the pack.
MUNSTER: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Ronan O’Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Donnacha Ryan, Peter O’Mahony (capt), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Francis Saili, Andrew Conway.
LEINSTER: Zane Kirchner; Isa Nacewa (capt), Rory O’Loughlin, Robbie Henshaw, Barry Daly; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson Park; Cian Healy, James Tracy, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Mike McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Peter Dooley, Michael Bent, Ian Nagle, Dominic Ryan, Charlie Rock, Noel Reid, Tom Daly.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Stuart Gaffikin (both Ireland)
Television Match Official: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Munster to win: 1/5; Draw: 20/1; Leinster to win: 7/2
Pre-Match Quotes: Tyler Bleyendaal (Munster) – “There is no hiding the significance of this match and we’re excited by it. We’re just so excited to get out there and play on Stephen’s Day. It will be a massive occasion and top of the table so it should be a great match.
“One of the skills you learn over a rugby career is how to switch on and switch off and that happens during the week and even during the day. In New Zealand, we’d have been on a two or three-week break (right now at Christmas) ahead of pre-season.
“This time of year, the barbecues are out and it’s much more of an outdoor affair but it’s nice to have different experiences. Christmas is a special time of year and it’s about trying to enjoy the day and the people around you and the occasion – and then somehow switch on the next day or that evening and know that there is a big game and a big performance to be had. It’s part of our job and we just have to turn up.
“You draw the calendar out (at the start of the season) and everyone looks at the Leinster matches home and away and we’re lucky to have the home one on Stephen’s Day and in front of 26,000 people. It will be amazing. We are looking forward to getting out there. We got past last weekend’s defeat (to Leicester) and got stuck into training and the challenge that Leinster will pose.
“We are in the middle of a big block of matches that started with the two against Leicester and then obviously Leinster and Connacht and Europe after that. It is a hectic one but it’s an exciting one because it defines how you are going to be at the end of the season and what you’re playing for.
“It’s a busy schedule but one we do look forward to. As a team, we are performing well and, I must admit, I am enjoying being out there as I’ve spent plenty of time on the sideline.”
Ross Byrne (Leinster) – “I played the Zebre game and then the Scarlets game. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t been played at all, so I got those games under my belt which was great. I’d also been training with the lads away with Ireland and Marshy (Cathal Marsh) injured.
“So I was the only 10 at training and I was getting loads and loads of reps in. From that perspective it was great and my confidence was high because I was training well and I knew all the plays. It wasn’t such a big step up (to play and start in the Champions Cup).
“I suppose people are going to judge you after one game or after a half, whatever it is. If you play badly you just got to move on to the next one. If you play well you stay grounded or even improve again. Ultimately I’ve just got to do what I think is best and keep getting better.”
Top Scorers – 2016/17 GUINNESS PRO12: Munster – Points: Tyler Bleyendaal 57; Tries: Ronan O’Mahony, Andrew Conway 4 each; Leinster – Points: Isa Nacewa 64; Tries: Adam Byrne 5
2016/17 TEAM FORM: Munster – Played 10, Won 8, Lost 2, 37 Points; W 23-13 v Scarlets (away), L 24-23 v Cardiff Blues (home), W 20-16 v Newport Gwent Dragons (away), W 28-14 v Edinburgh (home), W 49-5 v Zebre (home), Played , L 25-14 v Leinster (away), W 15-14 v Ulster (away), W 33-0 v Ospreys (home), W 46-3 v Benetton Treviso (home), W 16-15 v Glasgow Warriors (away); Leinster – Played 10, Won 8, Lost 2, 37 Points; W 20-8 v Benetton Treviso (home), L 33-25 v Glasgow Warriors (away), W 33-20 v Edinburgh (away), W 31-19 v Ospreys (home), W 16-13 v Cardiff Blues (away), W 25-14 v Munster (home), W 24-13 v Connacht (home), W 33-10 v Zebre (away), L 38-29 v Scarlets (away), W 28-15 v Newport Gwent Dragons (home)
RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:
Saturday, March 29, 2014 – Munster 22 Leinster 18, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, October 4, 2014 – Leinster 23 Munster 34, Aviva Stadium
Friday, December 26, 2014 – Munster 28 Leinster 13, Thomond Park
Sunday, December 27, 2015 – Munster 7 Leinster 24, Thomond Park
Saturday, April 2, 2016 – Leinster 16 Munster 13, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, October 8, 2016 – Leinster 25 Munster 14, Aviva Stadium
MATCH FACTS:
– Munster’s only defeat in the last eight rounds of the GUINNESS PRO12 was to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on October 8
– The Munstermen have won their last ten matches at Thomond Park in all competitions since Leinster beat them there 12 months ago
– Leinster have also lost only once in their last eight PRO12 fixtures: 38-29 at the Scarlets on November 25
– The Leinstermen have played two matches in 2016 away to fellow Irish provinces, losing both and failing to score a try, at Connacht in March and at Ulster in April
– Leinster have won their last three matches against Munster since the Munstermen’s 28-13 victory at Thomond Park exactly two years ago
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