Aussie Whitaker relishing taste of local rivalry

IT didn’t take Chris Whitaker long to recognise that playing for Leinster against Munster was more special than any other game, and nothing has changed since moving on to manage the Heineken Cup champions.

The Irish derby between the teams at Thomond Park tomorrow night is perfectly poised to produce another memorable encounter between two great teams, believes Whitaker.

The former NSW Waratahs and Australian scrum half – 31 caps, a minor miracle given the menacing presence of George Gregan throughout his career – has known the importance of internal bragging rights for years.