Alan Quinlan joined Friday's OTBAM with the Irish provinces facing-off against one another in the PRO14 Championship.
The much anticipated duel between Johnny Sexton and Joey Carbery is unlikely to materialise due to Irish rugby's player-management structures.
"It's disappointing but I think it might be better for Munster but they've shown, Leinster, in the last couple of fixtures that they're strong enough to win without him," Quinlan told Adrian.
"The depth they have and Ross Byrne, if he starts, a quality player who did really well last year. I suppose form a fans point of view - you want to see the best players in this fixture and it's something that's been debated over the last number of years - is it right? is it wrong?
"I think it's right from a player-management point of view in the sense that they seem to sacrifice these fixtures now, particularly around Christmas - this one historically is usually as full as they get - it's usually the Christmas ones that are mixed and matched in the inter-pros.
"I was surprised Johnny Sexton was back a couple of weeks ago...this year they've been back a little earlier."
Speaking about the apparent dilution of the once vicious rivalry, Quinlan said: "I'm mixed on this. Obviously having played for Munster and with the red-goggles on a little bit, part of me says 'play your best team Munster, try and go up there and get a result'. They haven't won there since 2014 and they've one win in the last seven fixtures which is not a good return. You want to go there and get the best team out on the field.
"Another side of me says 'Well, if you play Joey Carbery, will that drive on the Leinster guys a little bit more?'
"It's a bit of a conundrum for Johann Van Graan - I'd probably leave him out. I'd play Keatley or JJ Hanrahan. You probably don't want a bit of a sideshow that's going to inspire them a little bit more.
"Maybe there'll be a bit too much pressure on him to go and play that fixture - maybe he'll want that. He's a top quality player who needs that experience and maybe it'll benefit him."
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