Guinness PRO14 Preview: Munster v Leinster

Rhys Marshall and John Ryan come into the front row as the only alterations, with CJ Stander, Mike Haley and replacement Jack O’Donoghue all set to make landmark appearances for the province.

Already their most-capped overseas signing, Stander will run out for the 150th time for Munster at senior level.

Haley will make his 50th appearance for the province at full-back, while the fit-again O’Donoghue, who has 128 Munster caps to his name, is set to play his 100th PRO14 game.

Loosehead James Cronin completes a front row which is supported by Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne, the player-of-the-match in Galway, from the engine room.

Gavin Coombes, who is chasing his eighth try of the season, continues in the number 6 jersey, and the back row is rounded off by Stander and captain Peter O’Mahony.

There is a settled look to Munster’s back-line also, with JJ Hanrahan and Conor Murray at half-back and the powerful combination of Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell in the centre.

Alongside Haley in the back-three will be Keith Earls and Shane Daly, as van Graan’s charges, who hold an 11-point lead at the top of Conference B, look to rack up their 11th win in 12 games.

Referencing last August’s memorable encounter with their arch rivals which ended in a 27-25 Leinster victory, South African star de Allende said: “There was quite a hype up to that weekend. I don’t want to get hyped that much before games and I think that was quite a real shock to me.

“But I think the way that we’ve been going forward now, you need to enjoy yourself. I know the Leinster game is massive but I think if we can get into the right mindset of it’s just another game – it’s another game to get better, it’s another game to what we are trying to achieve and just keep ticking the boxes.

“Obviously we have our goals set and it won’t help us or it won’t benefit us, especially this weekend, if we make the occasion too big and we forget how to play rugby and we forget what we’re trying to achieve.

“It’s going to be brutal. Our bodies are going to be very sore in the game and after the game but it’s just another game of rugby. For us, it’s another chance to get better and what a great opportunity to play against the champions.”

Ringrose makes a welcome return from a jaw injury to take his place in the centre, with Jimmy O’Brien, Luke McGrath and Will Connors also brought into the team that beat Ulster 24-12 last time out.

The versatile O’Brien is selected on the left wing for the first time – all of his previous Leinster starts were at full-back or outside centre – and the back-three is completed by Hugo Keenan and Jordan Larmour.

Ringrose is reunited with Robbie Henshaw in midfield for his 80th provincial cap, and captain Jonathan Sexton will have McGrath alongside him at half-back.

Openside Connors is the only change up front, swapping in for Josh van der Flier in a back row that also features Rhys Ruddock, Leinster’s player-of-the-month for each of the last three months, and Caelan Doris.

Sean Cronin continues at hooker following his try-scoring performance against Ulster, with Cian Healy and Andrew Porter either side of him. The second row spots are filled once more by Scott Fardy and James Ryan.

Anticipating a big battle in Limerick, tighthead Porter said: “It’s a huge game and it’s always been one of those that you look forward to in the calendar. It’s a shame we didn’t get to play them on Stephen’s Day but ever since we found out that we’d be playing them this weekend, it’s been at the forefront of all of our minds.

“Munster have been playing some really good rugby, especially coming back against Clermont. They’ve only lost one game in the PRO14 this season and are unbeaten at home as well.

“It’s going to be a good challenge for us, going down to Thomond Park and playing a team of the calibre that Munster are. It’s a huge test but it’s something we’re relishing.

“It’s one of those games that everyone is looking forward to and I think the people at home will be looking forward to it as well. It’s really exciting.”

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Eoghan Cross (both Ireland)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)

Pre-Match Quotes: Johann van Graan (Munster) –

We’re playing against a team that has won their last 27 of 28 PRO14 games, so that (Leinster’s recent defeat to Connacht) didn’t show us anything. Connacht had a fantastic performance that night, what it does show is that every rugby game is different.

“Leinster were very convincing specifically in the second half against Ulster (in the last round), they pinned them back, Ulster couldn’t get out of their half, and they scored four tries to zero with a convincing win at home.

“They’ve got international quality all over the park, so certainly no weak points in that team. I think you take every game and you do what’s necessary to win.

“I’m glad that in the Ulster game two weeks ago, at least they (Leinster) used some of our tactics in that game as well, so that’s brilliant to see.”

Robin McBryde (Leinster) –

We’re going to have to be at our best. We have to be wary a little bit more of the threats that Munster pose. We’d be very naive to think they’re going to come with the exact same game-plan (as last season’s semi-final).

“It’s a game that both sides are looking forward to, both teams were gearing up for Europe and had put themselves in a great position to go for it for the next two weekends and then get a weekend off.

“So it’s all to play for. As far as I know there’s no restrictions on international players being selected so it would be great to see both sides going hammer and tongs at it the week before the national squad is being announced as well.

“So there’s going to be a lot of interest surrounding the game and I think it’s great.”

Top Scorers – 2020/21 Guinness PRO14: Munster – Points: Ben Healy 57; Tries: Gavin Coombes 6; Leinster – Points: Harry Byrne 46; Tries: Scott Penny 6

2020/21 TEAM FORM: Munster – Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1, 37 Points; W 30-27 v Scarlets (away), W 25-23 v Edinburgh (home), W 38-27 v Cardiff Blues (home), W 28-16 v Dragons (away), W 38-22 v Ospreys (home), W 27-13 v Glasgow Warriors (away), W 52-3 v Zebre (home), L 15-10 v Ulster (away), W 16-10 v Connacht (away)

Leinster – Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1, 41 Points; W 35-5 v Dragons (home), W 37-25 v Benetton Rugby (away), W 63-8 v Zebre (home), W 32-19 v Glasgow Warriors (away), W 26-7 v Ospreys (away), W 50-10 v Edinburgh (home), W 40-5 v Cardiff Blues (home), L 35-24 v Connacht (home), W 24-12 v Ulster (home)

RECENT CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS:

Saturday, October 6, 2018 – Leinster 30 Munster 22, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, December 29, 2018 – Munster 26 Leinster 17, Thomond Park
Saturday, May 18, 2019 – Semi-Final: Leinster 24 Munster 9, the RDS
Saturday, December 28, 2019 – Munster 6 Leinster 13, Thomond Park
Saturday, August 22, 2020 – Leinster 27 Munster 25, Aviva Stadium
Friday, September 4, 2020 – Semi-Final: Leinster 13 Munster 3, Aviva Stadium

MATCH FACTS:

– Munster’s only defeat in any competition this season was 15-10 to Ulster in Belfast in the Guinness PRO14 on January 2

– The Munstermen have not been defeated at home since Leinster visited Thomond Park in December 2019

– Leinster have lost just once this season, 35-24 to Connacht at the RDS on January 2

– The Leinstermen have not been defeated away from home in any competition since a trip to Ulster in April 2019

– Leinster have won their last four clashes with Munster, while the Munstermen’s only victory over their fiercest rivals in the last four years was 26-17 in Limerick in December 2018