After defeat to Saracens in the Champions Cup Final last week, another defeat this weekend would be bordering upon disaster for Leinster, according to Keith Wood.

Keith Wood was joined by former Munster player Johne Murphy on Wednesday night rugby and said that while Leinster are a bruised team after last weekend they will do everything in their power not to fall to defeat again.

“It would be very disappointing for Munster to lose another semi-final but it would be almost a disaster for Leinster because they are at a place where they were winning silverware a lot while Munster are on a journey to get back to that point in time.”

Murphy also emphasised that if Leinster were able to secure the Pro 14 title it would allow them to call this season a success.

“They are going to be seething after last week and they are going to be hurt so they will feel they will need some silverware to justify it”, Murphy said.

“And to beat Munster in a semi-final and then possibly another Irish province in the final will give them the real feeling that it is a successful year.”

Wood was also asked what Munster will have to do to give themselves the best chance of defeating Leinster.

“It is all about starting well for Munster and getting themselves in a good position because you want to be able to keep going at the end and hopefully be within shouting distance.”

“I am hoping to see [Keith] Earls and Joey Carbery back. I can’t say just Carbery in particular because Earls sets the place alight anytime he plays too but I think Munster look more confident and capable when Carbery plays 10.”

Kick-off between the two rivals is at 2:30 on Saturday in the RDS.

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