Munster-Leinster 'tension building', says O'Leary

While her Munster team are safely through to the final, Maeve Óg O'Leary knows that Leinster are in the last-chance saloon in the final round of the Women's Interprovincial series kicks off this weekend.

Defending champions Munster are two from two after victories over Ulster and Connacht, while Leinster suffered a shock defeat to Connacht on the opening day.

Tania Rosser's side bounced back with a win over Ulster but have to beat Munster this weekend in Donnybrook (4.45pm) to guarantee a place in the final.

"Connacht's win over Leinster was so exciting and kind of out of the blue but they showed what they can do and we knew coming in last week that we’d have a big fight and they’ve put themselves in contention now for the final in Musgrave next week, so it’s going to be a big one," Ireland flanker O'Leary said.

"No one knows where they stand right now whereas usually, after two games, you’d have a good idea but that’s the beauty of it, you want it to be exciting, you want every game to be a nailbiter and a decision maker so that’s all good."

O'Leary, who has four Ireland caps, is contracted to the IRFU and based in the High Performance Centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

There she mixes on a daily basis with her international team-mates from Leinster and she says their situation only adds to what is a special rivalry.

"The chance to play in a Munster jersey is actually very rare and then playing against Leinster is always the big one so tension has definitely been building," she said.

"We’re in camp together every day in Dublin so we’re around each other all the time and there’s definitely that competitive edge between us at mealtimes and during training sessions… there’s definitely been something building.

"It is gas. You don’t