Leinster comfortable favourites for Saturday evening clash with Munster

Nothing beats a vibrant domestic derby, and this provincial rivalry has underpinned the Irish team for much of the professional era. The more competitive and edgier, the better as well.

By extension, nothing has weakened the rivalry like Leinster’s dominance of Munster in recent times – witness 15 wins in the last 18 meetings. Hence, Munster’s semi-final win at the Aviva three seasons ago en route to the URC title, and storming of Croke Park last October when beating Leinster 31-14, was a boost.