Things are about to get serious for rivals

It seems a little early in the Guinness Pro12 schedule for this match-up between old foes to feel like a crossroads game but for both Leinster and Munster this first weekend of October is exactly the moment where things start to get serious.

With two wins apiece from their opening four league games, coaches Matt O’Connor and Anthony Foley will each want the satisfaction of leaving the Aviva Stadium tonight having drawn a line under the start of their respective campaigns.

And even in defeat, the losing boss will at the very least want to see signs of progression from his side heading into the opening European Champions Cup fixtures a fortnight hence.