Munster’s need is greater

A PAIR of iconic figures may be absent but tonight’s Magners League clash of the tournament’s top two teams, Leinster and Munster, still promises to be a titanic affair in front of a 26,500 full house at Thomond Park.

Paul O’Connell will sit this one out with a groin injury in the hope of being fully fit for tomorrow week’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton. Keith Earls is ruled out for the same reason but with Brian O’Driscoll and Cian Healy among those out of the starting Leinster side, things are more or less evened out.

Munster welcome back Jerry Flannery for his first game after a six week suspension and Tomás O’Leary, John Hayes and David Wallace return from Six Nations duty having been rested for last week’s impressive 27-19 win over Glasgow.