Ross relishing up-coming Leinster-Munster clash

Leinster’s Mike Ross is relishing this Saturday’s Rabo Direct Pro 12 clash with fierce rivals Munster at the Aviva Stadium.

It will be the first meeting of the sides since the beginning of the season when Rob Penney’s side left Thomond Park with victory.

Throw in Penney’s comments about it being Munster vs The Six Nations Champions, and we should be in for an all-time classic.

“It's like anything between a Heineken Cup match and an international at times. You generally have two sets of full internationals in either pack,” Ross said.

“It's pretty quick, it's very intense and everybody is pretty much climbing into each other more because, as everyone knows, you fight more in a family than you do with strangers...We all know each other pretty well at this stage the familiarity brings an extra edge to it.”

Players like Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O’Donnell, Simon Zebo and Ian Keatley were overlooked in Joe Schmidt’s Six Nations squads.

Joe spoke in the aftermath of the big win in Paris about wanting to switch things up for the summer tour to Argentina and the November Internationals when South Africa and Australia visit Dublin.

Mike Ross admits that players who were left out might be feeling a little more pressure on their shoulders this week.

“Every time the provinces play each other it is a mini trial of sorts. I'm sure there will be lads that are pretty annoyed they missed out but that always comes any time you play your rivals for an international place. Some are going to miss out so there is always a few points to prove there," he said.