Leinster edge thrilling derby against Munster at Thomond Park

Oh how we missed this.

Covid-19 saw to it that the last two Christmas derbies between Munster and Leinster were postponed, but at the third time of asking they served us up a classic, with all the trimmings.

More nuanced analysis will follow, but the simple reading of this game is that two excellent teams went at it, but Leinster just edged it.

It was everything you could want in an Interpro. The first half was low-scoring - Munster edging 7-6 in front at the break - but it was engrossing. There was a ferocity in the contact area and an excellent battle at the breakdown seeing momentum swing back and forth.

A Gavin Coombes try, converted by Joey Carbery, and two Ross Byrne penalties were the only scores in that opening 40, but in recent years, points have been too easy to come by in this derby.

The second half was even better; every bit as tense, but a bit more open. A Munster penalty try only served to poke the bear as Leinster hit them with two tries in five minutes, first from Scott Penny and then from Dan Sheehan.

A lot of teams could have rolled over in that position, but Munster roared back with a third try, this time from Patrick Campbell.

They couldn't complete the comeback, Leinster’s depth showing in the final quarter as they managed the clock to perfection, maintaining their 100% start, while Munster now look to pick themselves up for a crucial New Year’s Day trip to Belfast to face Ulster.

There was a great edge to the game early on, Leinster getting off to a quick 3-0 lead when Byrne landed a penalty from 40 metres after Niall Scannell failed to roll away at a ruck.

Three great minutes of ball-in-play followed, Munster’s varied attack getting some good gainline success, while Ryan Baird put in a rib-tickling