Upbeat Munster look forward to Leinster clash with full deck

Munster have not done the double over Leinster in the league since the 2014-15 season.

Tadhg Berine and Craig Casey were rested for Munster's victory over Ospreys but could face Leinster on Saturday. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The sold-out signs at Thomond Park for this Saturday’s URC derby with arch enemies Leinster suggests otherwise, but the Munster mood music heading towards this annual Christmas dust-up with the neighbours is all about it being “just another game”.

Despite not having beaten Leinster in Limerick since December 29, 2018, expectations among supporters have reached a height in recent weeks following their team’s convincing 31-14 victory in the first meeting of the rival provinces at Croke Park on October 18. A full house this Saturday confirms the optimism as Clayton McMillan’s men attempt to land a first league double on the old enemy since 2014-15 while back-to-back bonus-point victories against both Gloucester and Ospreys have helped to quieten doubts after Munster’s vulnerabilities had been brutally exposed by both the Stormers and Bath in the two games prior to those.

Add to that Leinster’s less-than-stellar start to their own campaign, and there is a sense within the southern province that the gap between the rivals is as close as it has been for quite some time, despite the lack of recent derby success at Thomond Park.

Munster forwards coach Alex Codling leaned into that negative history yesterday when asked to address the question of his players finding parity with the blue side of the rivalry.

“Well, look, the form certainly wouldn’t say that to you,” Codling said. “They certainly won’t have any fears coming down to us. They’ve won a lot of times at Thomond Park.

“So, for us, it’s just reflecting on the game. We’ve got a short week this week with Christmas. It’s important we reflect on some of the really good stuff and bits we need to focus on. The staff and the players will have a little break and then we’re back in, obviously, on St Stephen’s Day preparing for the game on Saturday.”

As to the possibility of this fixture carrying an extra edge more than most in Munster’s schedule, Codling replied: “No, look, I think there’s obviously the personal element, probably more in this game than most of the other ones, just because ultimately when you play these inter-pros you are playing against people you know very well.

“So I think naturally there’s a bit more of an edge because you’re playing against people that you’ve either played with or against many times over the years. I think that in itself brings that extra bit of edge.

“But no, certainly in terms of whether you play the Ospreys away or Leinster in an interpro, ultimately the points on offer are the same. So for us, it’s just another game.”

Codling confirmed the sentiments of his head coach, who had suggested the Munster fanbase would not take kindly to him resting his Ireland internationals for this weekend’s Christmas visit of the defending URC champions. McMillan rested captain Tadhg Beirne and scrum-half Craig Casey for last Saturday’s bonus-point win at Ospreys while playing Jack Crowley and fellow internationals Tom Farrell and Tom Ahern.

All look likely to face Leinster, however, as Munster look to repeat their 31-14 victory at Croke Park last October 18.

“Yes, they are,” forwards coach Codling said of the internationals’ availability ahead of tomorrow’s team announcement.

“Everyone’s in good spirits, in good shape, and looking forward to the game.

“Selection hasn’t been finalised, but as it stands, everyone’s available for the weekend, yes.”

Hooker Niall Scannell is the only fresh injury concern for Munster, having been removed after 30 minutes of Munster’s 26-10 bonus-point victory over Ospreys in Bridgend last Saturday.

The 33-year-old is set for a scan on the neck injury he sustained at Brewery Field with Lee Barron replacing him and going on to score a try before half time. Fellow hooker Diarmuid Barron is expected to be back in the selection mix having missed the trip to Wales after failing a Head Injury Assessment the previous weekend after finishing the Champions Cup tie with Gloucester, while there could be a return for centre Dan Kelly, who missed the Ospreys win with a calf issue.