Memories of Munster’s defeat to Leinster in last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park still haunts the province’s supporters.
But Saturday’s fixture, between the league’s second and third-placed sides, gives Munster the opportunity to gain part compensation at least, as well as providing a timely boost ahead of Saturday week’s Heineken Cup opener away to Northampton.
Munster manager Shaun Payne said the rivalry between Munster and Leinster had taken on an added dimension in recent seasons as the profile of the fixture has grown.
“This has always been a massive game. When I arrived here I was left in no doubt about the significance of the fixture,” Shaun Payne explained.
“But it has taken on an added dimension in recent seasons.
“We won our two Heineken Cups and Leinster won theirs last season.
“There were the two Heineken Cup semi-final meetings between us as well. They were epic games, two of the most amazing games that I have ever been involved in.
“Obviously the last one didn’t work out for us and it is something we have to live with.
“The 2006 semi-final was something the Leinster boys will always remember, I can guarantee it. But this fixture has taken on more importance, if that is possible.”
Payne said the round five Magners League clash with Leinster was also the ideal preparation for the Heineken Cup clash at Franklin’s Garden.
“It is a proper test before the Heineken Cup. There is no bigger test or rivalry for us.
“And Leinster probably feel the same way about it,” Shaun Payne pointed out.
“It is a real chance to test yourself out before the Heineken Cup starts.
“It is early in the season. Both sides are finding their feet in terms of team selection and especially with the Lions just coming back into both squads. I think it is great preparation for what is coming next.
“But as a stand alone game it has always been up there.”
Munster welcome back Jerry Flannery, Ian Dowling, Peter Stringer, David Wallace, Paul Warwick, Niall Ronan, Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls and Denis Leamy into contention for selection for Saturday’s game.
New signing Jean de Villiers is available after recovering fully from cramp he picked up towards the end of the Magners League clash with he Dragons last weekend.
Flanker Alan Quinlan is a doubt however with a neck injury.
Barry Murphy, who went over on his ankle in the early minutes of the Dragons tie, is unavailable.
Meanwhile centre Brian O’Driscoll is one of 13 Ireland internationals named in the extended Leinster squad for Saturday’s interprovincial derby - the Leinster team is set to be named at lunchtime this Friday.
Leinster coach Michael Cheika said this week that the kind of rivalry which exists between Munster and Leinster is rare.
“The two matches against Munster are the highlights of your season,” Michael Cheika said.
“For me as a foreigner who has come to understand the rivalry, it’s a real classic.
“You don’t find these types of rivalries in many other places. What we have to is break the tit-for-tat nature of this encounter. They win and then we win, we win two and then they win two. If we want to be successful on Saturday then we’ll need to break that cycle because I want us to be the team that’s mentally angrier and wants to come back and win the match even though we won the last time.
“Last time means nothing.”
Colm Kinsella
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment