MUNSTER face Leinster this Saturday 6 night in round six of the RaboDirect Pro 12. The local derby is once more being played at the Aviva Stadium, with kick off at 18.30 for the TG4 live game.
Outside of the clash being one of the most anticipated fixtures in the northern hemisphere, both teams will be looking for a win to set them up for their Heineken Cup assaults.
Both Leinster and Munster have won three and lost two from their opening five games. Last weekend saw Munster lose 30-15 to the Ospreys, while Leinster surprisingly fell at the hands of Connacht, 34-6. If the battle for slagging rights, RaboDirect points, form and pride were not enough to get the players going for this weekend, the game also offers a chance for players to put their hand up for Autumn international squad selection.
One player relishing the prospect of all of those motivational factors is Munster hooker Mike Sherry. The Garryowen man knows only too well the importance of this weekend’s clash with Leinster.
“Even though these games are technically just another fixture, they are always more than that. We know that we have not started great. Leinster have had a mixed start too, so they will be looking to get back on track as much as we are”
The defeat to the Ospreys in the last round of games was mainly due to forward domination from the men in black. Sherry knows that Leinster will target that and work has been done this week to rectify the faults.
“We know that we were poor last week. We looked at it this week. We need to improve in a lot of areas. Maul defence was particularily poor for us. The breakdown is always an area that is going to be hotly contested too. The last few Munster v Leinster games have been try-less encounters so the little things are going to count for a lot this season”
With Damien Varley due to serve a suspension for a straight red card last weekend, Mike Sherry could very well find himself being first choice hooker for the coming weeks. Something the Garryowen man is looking forward to.
“I have been given a few chances in the last few weeks and to be honest, I have not been entirely happy with my game. If Damien does miss out, there is great competition for the number two jersey. I know Sean Henry will be looking to get game time too so I have to make sure I am ready to go, if I get the call. At the start of a season I do set some personal goals and to be involved with Ireland is one of them. However, I know I have to be involved with Munster more regularily for that to happen”
Ahead of the game at the weekend there is some good news coming from the Munster camp. Injuries picked up in the game on Saturday at the Liberty Stadium are not causing great concern. Conor Murray required stitches to a cut above his eye but Murray is expect to be available.
Paul O’Connell (back), Johne Murphy (knee) and Luke O’Dea (ankle) took a full part in training this week but are not all expected to be available.
On the stats side, the Leinstermen have a 100 per cent winning record in their 11 previous PRO12 matches at Aviva Stadium. Munster’s last four matches have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst their only victory on the road in their last five games came at Edinburgh in round one.
The Munstermen have lost on their last three visits to Aviva Stadium. Leinster have won seven of their last nine meetings with Munster in all competitions. At the final whistle on Saturday night, Munster will have a clearer picture of their health ahead of the real tests to come in the the Heineken Cup.
