A SOLD out Thomond Park should be rocking this evening (6pm) as PRO 14 Conference B leaders Munster host Conference A leaders Leinster.
It’s the latest of the Christmas interprovincial games and Johann van Graan’s side will try and sign off on 2019 by inflicting the first defeat of the season on Leinster who have won all 12 games in the PRO 14 and Champions Cup so far.
Van Graan has made seven changes from the side that defeated Connacht 19-14 last week with Mike Haley, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Nick McCarthy, Fineen Wycherley, Tommy O’Donnell and Jack O’Donoghue all coming into the side.
There is a notable name on the replacements list too as Joey Carberry looks set to make his first appearance since coming on late in Ireland’s World Cup loss to New Zealand, with an ankle injury disrupting his entire tournament in Japan.
Munster haven’t lost at Thomond Park in 21 games but Leinster were the last side to taste victory there when they triumphed 34-24 in this fixture two years ago. The Blues have won five of the last six meetings between the provinces.
“I can’t explain the excitement around playing Leinster at Christmas time,” hooker Kevin O’Byrne told the Munster website ahead of the game.
“People are off, they’re all coming out – family, friends – and it’s a massive game. You want to perform in front of your family and friends in games against Leinster in Thomond Park. It’s a special, special game.”
Despite the obviously rivalry between the provinces, O’Byrne said that they try and normalise the fixture as much as possible.
“We treat it like any other game but it’s an interpro at a sold out Thomond Park,” he said.
“So it does come with that extra bit, the bragging rights and getting one over on one of the other provinces.”
Leinster also have good news on the injury front as Ross Byrne has recovered from a dead leg to take his spot in the side.
Leo Cullen has made 11 changes from the side that defeated Ulster in a high-scoring encounter last weekend, the hosts eventually winning 54-42.
Both sides had selected experimental sides and Leinster’s youngsters looked much more at ease as they led 33-14 at the break before extending their advantage to 33 points midway through the second half. They let their guard down from there though to allow Ulster in for three converted tries.
Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Scott Fardy and Will Connors are the four players retained from the victory.
