Forget the cliches and the history, Munster overdue a win against Leinster in Thomond

“Munster are one of the top teams and they play at home in front of a vociferous crowd,” said Leinster coach Robin McBryde.

BIG NIGHT AHEAD: Gavin Coombes on his way to scoring a try for Munter. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Munster-Leinster. Thomond Park. The full house. Christmas time.

It’s a scene that can’t help but lend itself to clichés. To words like ‘fortress’ and ‘passion’ and ‘rivalry’, and to reminisces about meetings down the years when skin would fly and ears were burned.