IT WILL be a full house in Thomond Park this coming Friday as Munster host the ‘old enemy’ Leinster in the URC.
Meetings between these two go back decades but this one is particularly interesting with the Blues attempting to add another win to their unbeaten run in this season’s competition and the home side hoping to match last weekend’s dramatic victory over Ulster.
According to the stats, Munster made 311 tackles during that Ulster tie, which most surely be a record in this competition.
Ulster recorded 70 per cent possession and 76 per cent territory in the same game and failed to carve out a victory.
Huge credit is due to the Reds’ pack in particular the new boys Evan O’Connell and Brian Gleeson who made their mark at a crucial time in the game. Both have come through the local school ranks with O’Connell showing promise with Castletroy College and Gleeson likewise with Rockwell.
Munster’s signing of former Connacht centre Tom Farrell is certainly paying dividends and his hat-trick of tries will not have gone unnoticed at a higher level. The former Castleknock College player will have an immediate challenge when he faces Leinster’s newest star Jordi Barrett.
Leinster fielded a much-changed line-up against Connacht last week and nearly paid the price.
They have strengthened for this outing but going on their last fixture with Munster are capable of causing an upset.
Thomond Park on nights like these always creates its own magical atmosphere and 26,000 hearts will be pounding from the kick-off.
It is going to be close, it is going to be tough but there is a feeling that Mike Prendergast will be the one smiling at the finish.
Let’s see how Rudolph Gerardo Snyman is received by the home supporters as he runs out in the Blue of Leinster. His four seasons with Munster must have been the most expensive and fruitless signing in the club’s history.
