Munster will play Leinster in the RDS in their second successive Semi Final in the Pro 14. Last year Leinster beat Munster 18-16 in a tight contest last May. Both teams have a few personal changes with the most notable being Joey Carbery moving from Leinster down south to play with Munster initially on a two year deal that has already been extended by two more years.
For Leinster they haven’t had many personal changes outside of Isa Nacewa who retired at the end of last season. Both teams have 1 win each this season, Leinster won back in October and Munster redressed the balance in December winning 29-17.
Leinster will have their own personal demons to beat on Saturday after their comprehensive loss to Saracens in last weekend’s Champions Cup Final in Newcastle. Leo Cullen will make a few personal changes but may largely stick to the 23 that played Saracens to give them the chance to right the wrongs on last weekend.
It is time for Munster to stop all the heart wrenching defeats at the semi final stage of competitions since there Magners League win in 2011 against Leinster in Thomond Park. Time also for this group to really stand up and be counted, They really don’t want another situation where they will be coming out telling us that they will learn from their mistakes and will be back to following year.
This group has hard to learn some really tough lessons since 2011 and will get another shot on Saturday at making a Final and then trying to win it. Having made Finals in 2015 and 2017 and falling at the final hurdle by being beaten by Glasgow and Scarlets, the Munster squad will feel it is time to give themselves a chance at winning another league crown.
There have been enough hard luck stories and mixed performances. The players will need to take full reasonability for this performance and not leave anything on the field of play. It will be interesting to see how Leinster come into this game. Will they be as physical as they were in December or will there be a more controlled approach on this occasion, only time will tell I suppose…..
I will now and try and select the two squads to face off against each other in the RDS this weekend.
Leinster XV
15 Jordan Larmour
14 Dave Kearney
13 Gary Ringrose
12 Robbie Henshaw
11 James Lowe
10 Jonathan Sexton
9 Jamison Gibson Park
8 Jack Conan
7 Josh Van Der Flier
6 Rhys Ruddock
5 James Ryan
4 Devin Toner
3 Tadgh Furlong
2 James Tracey
1 Cian Healy
–
16 Sean Cronin
17 Jack Mc Grath
18 Andrew Porter
19 Scott Fardy
20 Max Deegan
21 Luke Mc Grath
22 Ciaran Frawley
23 Noel Reid
Munster XV
15 Mike Haley
14 Andrew Conway
13 Chris Farrell
12 Rory Scannell
11 Keith Earls
10 Joey Carbery
9 Alby Matthewson
8 Arno Botha
7 Jack O Donoghue
6 Peter O Mahony
5 Tadgh Beirne
4 Jean Kleyn
3 John Ryan
2 Niall Scannell
1 Dave Kilcoyne
–
16 Rhys Marshall
17 Liam O Connor
18 Stephen Archer
19 Fineen Wycherley
20 CJ Stander
21 Conor Murray
22 Bill Johnston
23 Darren Sweetnam