If the Guinness PRO14 Championship is to continue to grow and take on the English and French leagues for audience numbers and advertising revenue - healthy inter-provincial derbies are key to that process.
The recent addition of two South African sides has added a unique flavour to the competition and rumours of a US-based side joining are to be welcomed but the 'bread and butter' for the PRO14 is the domestic derbies.
The feisty encounter at Thomond Park on Saturday between old rivals Munster and Leinster had a number of flash points throughout as over 26,000 packed into the Limerick venue. A raucous atmosphere engulfed the ground as the majority of Joe Schmidt's Ireland squad went head-to-head in what could be considered a trial run-out ahead of the fast approaching 6 Nations.
James Lowe saw red for taking out Andrew Conway in the air while there were scuffles in both halves as the soon-to-be international teammates got accustomed with one-another ahead of schedule. Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong also saw yellow as the defending champions suffered only their second defeat of the domestic season.
The fixture had been watered-down over the last number of seasons with weakened sides selected but the respective fans of both teams want their best players on the field when they face off and they were treated to a proper barn-burner at the weekend.
Tries from Chris Cloete and the lively Keith Earls, along with 14 points off the tee from Joey Carbery and a conversion from Tyler Bleyendaal, gave the home side a 26-17 victory over their great rivals.
Elsewhere, domestic clashes in Wales and Scotland drew large crowds as the Cardiff Blues ended the Scarlets' 27 month unbeaten home record with a comprehensive 34-5 win at Parc Uí Scarlets while Edinburgh won the 1872 Cup when they downed Glasgow 16-8 at Scotstoun.
The PRO14 has made major strides over the last couple of seasons, especially with ESPN securing the broadcast rights in the US until 2021, but the domestic derbies remain pivotal to the growth of the product if the quality and excitement over the last couple of days is anything to go by.
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