Munster hoping to spring trap on prowling Lions

“YOU don’t beat Munster twice in the same season,” has long been a mantra of the European champions and it’s one that will be put to a severe test at Thomond Park this afternoon (3pm, Setanta Sports) when Leinster make their first visit in nine years to the famous Limerick venue for an eagerly-awaited Magners League tie.

When the sides met in a fractious encounter at Lansdowne Road in October, Leinster came out on top and now make no secret of their burning desire to complete the double over their keenest rivals in front of a full house 13,000-strong crowd in Limerick.

While the Celtic League has yet to command the same public interest as the Heineken Cup, there are clear signs that it is making up ground with tickets extremely scarce for today and the likelihood of full houses at Lansdowne Road and the Galway Sportsground on New Year’s Eve.