Johann van Graan: Munster to throw everything at ‘phenomenal’ Leinster

The Limerick outfit have a poor record against the Dubliners over the past few years, but they did stop the rot by claiming a win in the Rainbow Cup last year.

This is the first match since that game, with their Christmas encounter postponed due to an outbreak of Covid.

Both teams have their international stars available in what should be a fully-loaded contest between the country’s traditional powerhouses.

“We beaten them the last time that we played against them in Dublin,” Van Graan told reporters.

“Every game is different – this is a new game, a new competition and they’re a phenomenal team, the current URC champions and that’s a challenge, and we love a challenge.

“They always want to come up with their best and we lost against them in the (PRO14) final. It’s always a big challenge against them.

“Everybody who is fit and available that comes through training will be assessed and we’ll pick our best possible team in terms of guys who are fit and available.

“I’m not going to keep guys back in terms of squad management – everybody’s available in terms of minutes, it’s just how are their bodies and how are they mentally.”

Munster were disappointed by their loss to Leinster in the PRO14 showpiece event but made up for that reversal in the Rainbow Cup.

Van Graan is therefore hoping for a display which is more akin to the latter than the former.

“It was small margins, and we came up short and we had worked so hard to get into that final and not to get the result, sure it does hurt,” he said.

“The good thing is that we played them two weeks later in the Rainbow Cup. We have developed since then and they have certainly developed.

“So it’s all about balance, it’s all about integrating with each other then hopefully putting in