Munster and Leinster braced for showdown

THE tantalising prospect of an All-Ireland Heineken Cup semi-final between Munster and Leinster moved closer after yesterday’s semi-finals draw in Edinburgh.

Should Munster defeat Ospreys and Leinster overcome Harlequins in the quarter-finals, the two Irish provinces are set for a repeat of their seismic 2006 Heineken Cup semi-final clash when Munster triumphed on a 30-6 score-line.

Munster will have ‘home country’ advantage in any semi-final with Croke Park already been cited as a possible venue for the fixture on May 2 or 3.