Munster must state their case in derby cauldron, says Tyler Bleyendaal

Involvement in a major “derby” game on St Stephen’s Day used to be a novelty for Munster’s New Zealand out-half Tyler Bleyendaal. It’s high summer and off-season back home where he would normally be enjoying the beach and sunshine.

Here in Ireland, however, he will be the pivotal figure for Munster against Leinster for a PRO12 encounter before a sellout Thomond Park crowd on Monday.

“There is no hiding the significance of this match and we’re excited by it,” says the 26-year-old Kiwi, whose appearances over the last two years have been seriously restricted by injury. “We’re just so excited to get out there and play on Stephen’s Day. It will be a massive occasion and top of the table so it should be a great match.”