Joe McCarthy: Champions Cup won't distract Leinster against Munster

Joe McCarthy says Leinster's players won't be distracted by trying to force their way into a Champions Cup final squad when they host Munster this weekend.

The province welcome their rivals to Dublin for a BKT United Rugby Championship semi-final this Saturday evening (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), with head coach Leo Cullen likely to keep his squad rotated ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup decider against La Rochelle on 20 May.

McCarthy will be one of several players looking to make a late impression on selection with a big performance in this weekend's URC semi.

However, the 22-year-old says a knockout game against their biggest rivals is more than enough motivation to play well.

"We're really just taking every game as it comes, every game at the moment is massive," the second row said.

"Last week, we were playing a quarter-final against the Sharks and some Springboks, and now we're playing Munster, who are having strong end to the season, and we know how much quality is in their side.

"We're just trying to prepare for Munster, because putting our best foot forward for Munster will set us up for whatever games have after that."

McCarthy says Leinster's own internal competition is driving standards higher and higher.

"Every year it seems like there's more competition, it's great because in training it's so competitive.

"There are two or three full 15s that are all quality players. We've such a high level at training and the competition between all those players brings out the best of us.

"Everyone works well together, the second rows and back rows in their units, but then everyone is competing against each other. The competition drives everyone."

While McCarthy will be hoping to sneak into Cullen's plans for La Rochelle, every