Leamy keeps Reds off ref’s radar

REWIND, replay, repeat. Aside from Paul O’Connell’s momentary lapse in judgement at Thomond Park last Sunday, the manner of that home win over Ospreys will be precisely what Munster coach Tony McGahan will be looking for when he sends the same starting XV out at the Liberty Stadium today (3.30pm).

With an invaluable, pool-defining Heineken Cup Pool Three away win on Munster’s Christmas list, and Ospreys fighting to keep their European campaign alive, McGahan will need his players to defend as admirably as they did in Limerick last week, before and after O’Connell’s 69th-minute dismissal for striking visiting number eight Jonathan Thomas with an instinctive swing of the right arm.

The Welsh region were kept to one try in a 22-16 defeat and that came courtesy of a long and loose pass from Munster’s Sam Tuitupou, intercepted and then ruthlessly punished by Tommy Bowe.