O’Driscoll set for fierce Reds’ reception

IT’S A GREAT pity that no more than 8,000 or so people can be squeezed into Musgrave Park tonight for the latest clash of Munster and Leinster. The Magners League has invariably been regarded as second division stuff by the majority of fans of both sides — except when it comes to a meeting of these great rivals.

Of course, we’d all like an outstanding game of rugby that shows off the game in this country in the most favourable light. But victory by a solitary penalty goal to nil is just as welcome to those who happen to come out on the right side of the result.

Ironically, the outcome tonight is of considerable importance to the Magners League given that the winners will go to the top of the table.

Aware that home advantage has proved crucial in the many meetings of the sides over the years, Leinster skipper Brian O’Driscoll expressed his hope that the 2,000 or so fans expected to forsake the comforts of Dublin 4 for a long journey south on a dark, cold, wintry night will make their presence felt.

“The support we have received both at home and away this season has been fantastic,” he says. “It has really grown over the past few years. As a player, it really stands to you. Hearing a vocal crowd really drives you on and gives you a great boost and I’m sure the Leinster supporters will be in full voice in Cork.”

It is hardly surprising that O’Driscoll is demanding a far greater level of consistency from his side than has been the case of late. Only a week after they saw off Leicester Tigers in highly impressive-fashion in the Heineken Cup, they did an about turn against Toulouse and suffered a hiding.

“Consistency is the most important factor coming into a game like this,” O’Driscoll asserted. “There are friends in both camps but it makes no odds when playing an Interpro, not even if with Irish teammates.”

Coaches Michael Cheika and Declan Kidney were constrained to some extent by injury problems when finalising their teams. Over the past few days, Kidney has had to find replacements for both Brian Carney (knee) and Alan Quinlan (hand). Adding a little extra spice to the occasions is that Kieran Lewis, a Leinster player up to this season, takes over from Carney on the right wing while Donncha Ryan comes in for Quinlan.

Gordon D’Arcy returns to the Leinster team after missing last weekend’s 26-19 victory over the Ospreys and he is joined in the starting line-up by Stephen Keogh, formerly of Munster, Jamie Heaslip, Malcolm O’Kelly, Bernard Jackman and South African international Ollie le Roux. Cillian Willis partners Felipe Contepomi at half-back with Rob Kearney and Shane Horgan, both try scorers from last weekend, named in the back three alongside Luke Fitzgerald.

Whereas Leinster have been able to call up D’Arcy, they must do without full-back Girvan Dempsey and more critically again, Chris Whitaker at scrum-half.