Kleyn: Munster's young stars are major boost to Leinster tilt

The new guard of Munster players have been handed their chances this season under new head coach Graham Rowntree, and including Kleyn’s likely second-row partner Thomas Ahern, the younger brigade are not so burdened by recent history.

Fri, 21 Oct, 2022 - 01:00

Simon Lewis

It is, Jean Kleyn, believes, one of the ultimate tests in world rugby, particularly if you’re a Munster stalwart with more failure than success against Leinster on your record. Yet the experienced lock has faith the younger generation in red currently making their mark in their home province can teach the old dogs a thing or two about playing without fear against their nemeses.

Kleyn, 29, has enjoyed little about the interprovincial rivalry in his six previous seasons at Munster since joining from the Stormers in 2016. With three wins over Leinster in 11 attempts, part of an overall record for the team of 15 defeats in the last 18 meetings over the same period, there has been plenty of opportunity to accumulate some mental baggage about the derby ahead of this tomorrow evening’s renewal at Aviva Stadium.