DESPITE losing last weekend to the Ospreys, and only winning once since 1995 in Thomond Park, Leinster will arrive in Limerick this weekend as favourites for the RaboDirect Pro 12 Round 19 clash with Munster.
The Joe Schmidt coached Heineken Cup champions are top of the table at present, eight points clear of Munster.
The ‘Blue Magic’ have lost only three games all season in the league and look odds on now to secure a home semi final spot.
The game will be as close as always this weekend with both sides welcoming back their Six Nations Irish internationals.
Munster are still without the services of captain Paul O’Connell and scrum half Conor Murray, while Leinster will be missing Jamie Hagan from their front row.
With Leinster’s scrum having an off day last weekend, Munster will be looking to target that particular set piece for some change. The signing of Brad Thorn for Leinster will shore up their faltering line out and with O’Connell missing, Leinster will feel they might be able to secure their own ball enough to trouble the Munster defence.
The game will therefore be won out wide. Sexton and O’Gara will break even, so the tie might just be hung on the centre/wing clashes.
If Munster wake up and pick Earls at 13, then Munster have a shot. If the flying Limerick man is put out on the wing, the damage will be done inside him. With pace to burn from Zebo and Jones, Munster will be looking to their back three for a chance to beat the table toppers.
Form normally does go out the window in derby games, so Leinster are favourites based purely on squad strength and backline attack. It is going to be a great game with two very committed side. If this hack was asked to pick a side, he would have to say, Leinster by a nose as head finally begins to rule heart.
Munster Squad: Horan, du Preez, Botha, Ryan, Archer, Varley, Sherry, Fogarty, Dave O’Callaghan, O’Driscoll, Holland, Don O’Callaghan, O’Mahony, O’Donnell, Wallace, Coughlan, Williams, O’Leary, O’Gara, Keatley, Zebo, Barnes, Mafi, Earls, Hurley, Murphy, Deasy, Jones.
