Sparks to fly as new chapter begins for grand old rivals

Old foes meet once again tonight in familiar surroundings as another season rumbles into life, but this first meeting of the campaign between Munster and Leinster promises to be far from predictable.

Of course it promises to be a titanic tussle or near Test match intensity, that is always a given when these two factions play. Yet for both provinces, a new chapter in their respective narratives is under way and this evening’s clash at Thomond Park represents the first real indication of the direction those story arcs may take.

For the home side, a year into head coach Rob Penney’s tenure, Munster are adjusting to life without Ronan O’Gara and Doug Howlett, while Leinster arrive in Limerick with a new man at the helm in Matt O’Connor and minus not just the retired Isa Nacewa but also their departed playmaker Jonathan Sexton.