Munster and Leinster renew acquaintances this weekend in the Aviva Stadium in the URC after round 1 of the Champions Cup was played with both teams winning against French opposition Leinster defeated Clermont and Munster saw off Racing 92 in Cork last weekend.
Both sides have gone through many changes since the Celtic League came into existence back in 2001as a way of giving several club sides meaningful games as the game became more open after 1995. The Celtic League was then named the Magners League, then another name change saw it called the Rabo Direct Pro 12 and then 14 and over the last few season with the ongoing inclusion of the South African sides, it has become known as the United Rugby Championship.
Does Munster vs Leinster still have the same impact as it had back in 2001 or is it a far more one sided rivalry as Leinster have won many contests since the break through victory in May 2009 in Croke Park.
Munster for their part have struggled to find wins and have only managed to beat Leinster a few times like the 2023 semi final and last October in Croker winning 31-14.
Leinster have dominated the fixture and looking at previous games it just showed me that the edge that used to be there has been watered down a fair bit and the bite that was there will need to return. Of course the game has changed since 2001, certain things that were acceptable then just will not be tolerated or have been outlawed in the game.
The spite and sense of humour of both support bases needs to return as that has been lost in the intervening years as well. There is plenty to play for both sides as they started the year in mixed form. Leinster lost out twice in South Africa and Munster lost and won in their opening 2 games. This is a big game as there will only be 1 round of URC left before a month long break to allow the Nations Championship be completed in full.
For me, the game still has the spice but the outcome of several games over the last number of years just had been too easy to call, Munster would perform but in the end Leinster would find a way to win and that is the way it worked out.
Munster by the look of it even with injuries look to have a set piece to match the ambition of the back line and no better game than Leinster away to show how far they have progressed under the coaching of Mossy Lawlor, Jared Payne, Jimmy Duffy and Denis Leamy.
It is a last home game for Leinster vs Munster with Leo Cullen in charge as they will have a change in the coaches box next season. Joey Carbery makes his return as a starter against Munster where he won a URC winners medal back in 2023. Injury ruined his time at Munster after a great opening campaign in red. He will be eager to show Irish Rugby what he is capable of at the age of 31.
In recent years bar last October there only has been the kick of a ball between these teams and with bragging rights on the line, it will be interesting to see who will blink first in the Aviva on an evening that is set to be wet and windy.
The battle for international spots in really non-existent at the moment as only 2 Munster based players will be in the squad to face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa. There is an “A” game in Virgin Media Park in late November and several players will feel they can push for inclusion in that squad as well as putting a hand up to say if injury happens I’ll be ready to step up if needed by Andy Farrell.
Leinster face Munster at 6pm tomorrow evening and although it may not have the true spice and grit of other years you can be sure both sides will tear into each other from the first whistle….