Jackman: Leinster looking to iron out remaining kinks as Munster continue to get closer

Leinster are a more assured team than Munster, but the southern province are catching up according to former Ireland international Bernard Jackman.

The neighbours played out an entertaining St Stephen's Day URC interpro derby at a packed out Thomond Park, with the eastern province emerging victorious by the slenderest of margins, 20-19.

It continued the dominance of Leo Cullen's side in the fixture, marking their 10th victory in 11 meetings between the sides as Leinster maintained their unbeaten run this season, which now stretches to 12 games.

Cullen's charges had to play the early part of the second half with 14 players as Max Deegan was sin binned, and the awarding of a penalty try against them. But they responded in style, winning the 10-minute spell 14-0 to turn the match around.

"It's a very settled team, a team that's been together for a long time," Jackman said on this week's RTÉ Rugby Podcast.

"[It's a] team that understands exactly what Lancaster wants on the playing field, and Leo off it. They've got a level where they can really focus on those last things now.

"Like there's no point in Munster talking about, 'what do we do if there's a man in the bin and we're 14-6 up.' They're trying to find the nuts and bolts of their game, the best combinations and build confidence."

"If you look at the referee at the weekend, [Chris] Busby, he was really hard on the tackler not rolling away. He always is. Leinster got caught once or twice, but in general they were much cleaner in that area than Munster.

"That's a real sign of a team who know how important discipline is. It's been a constant issue for Munster this season; Graham has spoken about it a few times. Eventually that will get sorted out and Munster will be even harder to