Wounded Munster have point to prove on derby day

MUNSTER have five defeats on the bounce to mull over as they prepare to take on great rivals Leinster in the Magners League at Thomond Park tonight against (7.30pm).

And the bookmakers are holding Munster up for a fall by installing them favourites as Leinster also keep a close eye on their crucial Heineken Cup quarter final clash against Leicester Tigers next week.

Apart from the obvious bragging rights of securing a second successive victory at Thomond Park — they won 16-15 last year — they will want to give Shane Horgan a night to remember. The veteran wing/centre reaches the incredible milestone of 200 caps tonight, the first from the province to do so.

Even the most dedicated Munster fans are likely to warm to that achievement in the certainty that the popular Irish international will lead Leinster out for the occasion. The applause might not last long, however, as Munster supporters desperately seek an end to the Leinster domination over the last five encounters and the rub-in-the-face associated by failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup.

Yes, a quarter-final place in the Amlin Challenge Cup is a consolation of sorts. But not quite The Full Monty, and the only real way to answer the detractors is to produce a win tonight.

Boyne RFC’s Horgan has been central to much of Leinster’s success over the years and he could be a key figure in a back three that includes Isa Nacewa and Luke Fitzgerald. It is an area of battle that could make a difference, considering they will be up against the highly-rated Felix Jones, Doug Howlett and Keith Earls.

On top of that, Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has responded quickly to the news Munster will have the physically imposing Conor Murray at scrum-half and picked Isaac Boss to start above current national number one Eoin Reddan.

There are all sorts of possibilities behind the scrum, but Gordon D’Arcy’s partnership with Brian O’Driscoll and their growing relationship with Jonathan Sexton probably gives Leinster the edge, although one should not underestimate Johne Murphy’s ability alongside Lifeimi Mafi.

Howlett said this week that Munster must play the game in Leinster’s territory and that Ronan O’Gara is the perfect man to make that happen. Of course, that depends on how Munster fare up front and it is a big night for Wian du Preez up against Mike Ross, and a huge night for the Munster back row of Donncha Ryan, James Coughlan and David Wallace against a younger but much-heralded Leinster trio of Kevin McLaughlin, Jamie Heaslip and Sean O’Brien.

Whatever about other areas of the pitch, the outcome of this battle could decide the issue as might decisions relating to the use of the bench.

Internationals Heinke van der Merwe, Stan Wright, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan and Fergus McFadden are named amongst a strong replacements group for Leinster, while Munster can call upon another vastly experienced group, amongst them Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Mick O’Driscoll, Denis Leamy and Peter Stringer; class acts such as Sam Tuitupou, Paul Warwick and up-and-coming Mike Sherry are also in the loop.