A lot of sides will have paid attention to how Munster got under Leinster’s skin according to former Ireland international Shane Byrne.
Byrne spoke to Off the Ball about the upcoming interprovincials saying that Munster may have created a template for other sides to follow when playing Leinster.
“This is maybe the route to go with these guys, tear into them physically, upset them - make them make simple errors.”
While it was an error-strewn display from the men in blue, Byrne was pleased to see a bit of bite in the fiery encounter down in Thomond Park.
“I loved the first half in that game in particular, I just thought it was great to see a bit of brainless stuff, a bit of silliness but still, it was great to see that out and out passion.”
Leinster will face Ulster in the RDS Arena this Saturday while Munster travel to Galway to face Connacht the same day.
However, with big games coming up for the sides in Europe the following week, it’s likely that the provinces will put out somewhat weakened teams for this weekend’s derby clashes.
Ulster have been much improved this season, but Byrne thinks a win over the European champions in Dublin is unlikely for the northern province.
“I’ve been very impressed with Ulster over the last couple of weeks, it’s been great to see them starting to show form, but I honestly thought the undoing of them was going to be the inter-pros.
“They have lost the ability over the last few years, and you’re going back over the last five, six years, to play the other Irish provinces, irrelevant of the form they’re in going up to those games,” Byrne told Eoin.
Connacht have a chance to leapfrog Munster in Conference A in the Pro14 and are expected to target the match.
Connacht are likely to be without one of their star men, Bundee Aki, due to a knock he picked up during the win against Ulster the previous week. Munster will also likely be without a few key players, with their crucial trip to Gloucester looming over them.
“There’s a great opportunity for Connacht to come here because Munster do have to have eye on what’s happening in the next couple of weeks.”
Byrne was speaking about the upcoming Ireland Legends vs England Legends match, which will be played in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which aims to raise funds to aid research and investigate potential cures for Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
By Eoin Patrick Harte
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