Leinster rotate as Munster name strong side
It is a massive compliment to Leinster Rugby that the side they have named this weekend is so loaded with quality given the personnel changes from last weekend’s decisive win over Connacht Rugby.
Conscious of the six day turnaround between this fixture and their European Cup fixture against Wasps next Friday night, Cullen and Lancaster have decided to rotate the squad.
Sexton is omitted from the match day panel with Ross Byrne slotting into the fly-half position. Sean O’Brien starts his full game for Leinster Rugby this season at eight; a nice positional switch to run the rule over the Tullow native and whether he can provide depth chart support in this position.
The pack is fundamentally altered as the front row is completely replaced. McGrath, Tracy and Bent come in and James Ryan is included in the second row. The back row sees Josh van der Flier (sub), Jack Conan (omitted from the squad) replaced by Dan Leavy and Sean O’Brien. Massive squad depth in the back row unit.
The back line is also changed with Robbie Henshaw and Rory O’Loughlin coming into the three quarters to replace Garry Ringrose and Joe Tomane. The back three sees Rob Kearney win his 200th cap for the province and will have Fergus McFadden and James Lowe on the wings. A potent outfit.
Near Full Strength Munster need to deliver
Munster Rugby have had a wretched season thus far on the road. Two comprehensive losses to Glasgow Warriors (round two) and Cardiff Blues (round four) has the side on alert not to produce another dismal performance away from Thomond Park or Irish Independent Park.
On the face of it, this is as near full strength a side that Munster could name. Murray continues to be a long term absentee (injury unknown). The pack is loaded with international talent and no doubt Peter O’Mahony will be keen to highlight the post-game comments of Reggie Corrigan last season who asked whether Munster Rugby players had given everything to the cause in this fixture last year.
This is a fixture that Munster Rugby must turn up and deliver a performance. There are intriguing battles everywhere on the pitch; effectively a national team trial on Saturday evening. The pack battle looks tasty. A mobile and physical Leinster Rugby front five comes against a Munster Rugby pack who have the likes of Kleyn, Beirne in their ranks.
The half-back battle also looks interesting. Ross Byrne will relish the challenge of Joey Carbery tomorrow. Carbery has provided some memorable cameos in open play but tomorrow will be about game management and decision making has to be on point tomorrow. Byrne is such a solid operator. Joe Schmidt will be keenly observing developments.
The three quarter battle as well looks potential exciting. We all know about Henshaw and his quality but it is a good opportunity to see the other players in this position. Rory O’Loughlin is highly rated in the Leinster Rugby ranks and another chance of shine tomorrow. Munster Rugby have gone for youth and it is good to see Dan Goggin and Sammy Arnold getting a massive opportunity to impress in such a marquee fixture.
Verdict: Munster Rugby (narrowly)
Munster Rugby need to deliver a performance and win this fixture tomorrow. Leinster Rugby with their team selection have slightly opened the door for the Southern province to come into the Aviva Stadium and win this contest but it will require Munster Rugby to be clinical in the fundamentals. A loss here and Munster Rugby’s season could be dealt a massive blow ahead of European Cup action.
Leinster Rugby will execute to a high level; the focus is whether Munster Rugby can do that and more. Munster Rugby look to have more potent weapons to come off the bench but their record against Leinster Rugby has being wretched. I thought Leinster Rugby would win this before team selection but the team news has shifted my mind to Munster Rugby but it will be a narrow, narrow win. Carbery needs to step up to the plate.