Leinster and Munster clashes brings best out of stars
Tonight’s clash between Leinster and Munster always stirs up evocative memories, not least this time around, as the age-old rivalry continues without Brian O’Driscoll, whose seven league tries against the Reds has not been matched.
Still, O’Driscoll hasn’t been the only player to thrive in this fixture. Here are four more heroes of the recent vintage.
The Dubliner announced his arrival as a serious Test fly-half rival by getting in the face of the Munster men following a Gordon D’Arcy try during Leinster’s 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final victory. And six months later he was instrumental in his team’s 30-0 league win at the RDS as the Blues confirmed their new status as Ireland’s best team. What’s more, Sexton will be back to torment the Reds next season.
The legendary fly-half’s standout moment in this fixture was a try under the posts in the 2006 Heineken Cup semi-final win, one that still gives Malcolm O’Kelly nightmares but O’Gara was a constant thorn in Leinster’s side.
No player has scored more league points (183) or penalties (48) against the Blues than the Cork man.
If Sexton was the young pup in Leinster’s 2009 European semi-final victory at Croke Park, Australian forward Elsom was the inspiration with a starring role in the defensive demolition job that snuffed out Munster’s hopes of back-to-back Heineken Cup successes.
A masterclass from a Wallabies powerhouse.
The Ireland and Lions back row capped his 200th appearance for Munster by picking up the man- of-the-match award for his performance in the 19-9 Magners final victory of 2011 at Thomond Park, as the home side upset the odds to beat the previous week’s Heineken Cup winners.
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