Rugby stars set to renew regional rivalry

THOSE of a nervous disposition should probably avoid Cork’s Musgrave Park this evening as the leading Irish rugby stars are set to rejoin battle in an eagerly awaited match between Munster and Leinster.

The desire of the top players to banish any lingering disappointment from their woeful Rugby World Cup performance in France is also likely to add to the intensity of the Magners League clash between the two sides with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Many internationals, including Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Shane Horgan and Paul O’Connell, will be seeking the latest bragging rights to the claim of top province.

Not that much incentive is needed by either side to overcome their traditional enemy.

All 12,000 tickets for the game have been sold out, with 2,000 Leinster fans expected to make the journey south for the latest instalment of the greatest rivalry in Irish rugby.

Certain to add an extra frisson to the occasion are rumours that relations between the two sides are less than cordial, which have surfaced in the aftermath of the World Cup fiasco, despite official denials from IRFU personnel.

Leinster outhalf Felipe Contepomi is also likely to be singled out for a particular type of Munster welcome as the Argentine international has had a number of less-than-friendly incidents with several of Declan Kidney’s players including O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and Denis Leamy.

An additional incentive is that a victory for either team will take them to the top of the Magners League as none of the leading Welsh clubs, Cardiff and Llanelli, are in action this weekend.

The two sides have experienced intense rivalry since the era of professional rugby with Leinster’s win over the southern province in the final of the inaugural Celtic League in 2001 avenged by Munster’s emphatic win in the semi-final of the Heineken Cup in 2006.

Most fans will hope tonight’s match will contribute another colourful chapter to the rich history of contests between the two teams.

* The match will be screened live on pay channel Setanta Sports 1. A delayed broadcast of the game will be shown on the Setanta Sports Ireland tonight at 9.30pm.