MUNSTER rugby travel to the Aviva Stadium this weekend to face fierce rivals Leinster. The game, which kicks off at 2pm, sees second placed Munster take on third placed Leinster.
With several players from both squads in Carton House this Monday for camp, the Pro12 regular season game is also going to double up as an Irish trial for the forthcoming November internationals.
Munster head coach Anthony Foley has said that his side are fully focused on what should be a tough battle.
“You want to leave it in a team mantra and make sure that when we go out on the pitch that the 15 guys in the red jerseys are better prepared, as well prepared as they can be and make sure that we can out-perform Leinster.
“History doesn’t matter, personal agendas don’t matter. It’s how the pack fronts up, how the Nos 9 and 10 dictate where and when the game is played and I’m sure there’ll be an aerial contest for the wingers and full-backs. These are the critical areas that both teams need to win.”
With Munster expected to name a full strength side, Billy Holland knows that experience will play its part on the weekend, especially in a squad where a few debuts have been made in recent weeks.
“I think every weekend over the last three or four weekends we’ve had guys making their starts, getting their first caps which is really exciting for the squad and generates a bit of a buzz around the place. It’s not the same old faces, it’s about trying to get the balance right between a bit of experience and the youth. I wouldn’t have any fears of the lads going up to the Aviva, there’s just more people there.”
In squad news, Jack O’Donoghue and Rory Scannell remain doubts for the weekend, but all those who played against Zebre are due to be fit to travel to Dublin.
