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Rugby

Stephen Ferris highlights how Munster exposed a Leinster vulnerability

The Heineken Champions Cup returns this weekend with Leinster, Munster and Ulster in the thick of...



Rugby

Stephen Ferris highlights how Munster exposed a Leinster vulnerability

The Heineken Champions Cup returns this weekend with Leinster, Munster and Ulster in the thick of the action.

Leinster face Toulouse at home, two months on from a defeat in France in what proved to be a thriller. Munster, meanwhile, head across the Irish Sea for a clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm.

And Ulster welcome last season's runners-up and current pool leaders Racing 92 to Belfast.

To preview those games, ex-Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and ex-Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris joined us on Wednesday Night Rugby.

While Leinster remain potent, Ferris notes minor vulnerabilities compared to last season.

Vulnerable?

"There's been so much chopping and changing within the team, especially over the last number of weeks," he said.

"I think that's going to have an impact on your performance at some stage. You just look at the Leinster team that was down in Thomond Park. A couple of big hitters were out. Joey Carbery and Johnny Sexton coming up against each other. Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan coming up against each other. It was almost like Munster just decided, we're going to get under Leinster's skin and we're going to annoy them and we're going to get into their faces.

"So I think if Toulouse can kind of have a good look at that video and say, 'Right, what did they do?' Because I think Leinster played more rugby. Munster hardly played any rugby at all in that game but yet came out on the right side of it.

"Albeit it was a Keith Earls intercept at the end. But they still deserved to win the match. I think if you can rattle Leinster, especially with a couple of their key men out, then maybe they are vulnerable.

"Maybe with Joe [Schmidt] in years gone by, we might not have said that."

Ferris and O'Sullivan also previewed Ulster's clash against Racing. And he also touched on how vital the Exeter game after Gloucester is even more vital for Munster.

You can watch the full weekend preview above. Wednesday Night Rugby is also available as a podcast.

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Eddie O'Sullivan Gloucester Heineken Champions Cup Leinster Munster Off The Ball Rugby Sports Stephen Ferris Ulster