Crucial areas: The centre combinations

LEINSTER-MUNSTER matches rarely get sorted in the outside centre channel, but when they do Leinster, historically, have reaped the benefits. That may change tomorrow as, under Tony McGahan, Munster’s three-quarter play has evolved dramatically.

Their whole continuity game is markedly improved, and with Lifeimi Mafi carving out a legacy for himself, the razor-sharp finishing of Keith Earls and Doug Howlett is making an impact this season.

Earls really does seem destined for a distinguished career as an international centre, but the Six Nations showed us that the green number 13 jersey will have to be ripped off Brian O’Driscoll’s back.

O’Driscoll looks certain to start for the Lions in the Test series in South Africa, but Earls, on current form, is next in line.

“It is going to be such a brutal contest,” said Niall Woods, the former Irish winger and now chief executive of the players body Irupa. “We’ve already seen it this season in Leinster games against Harlequins and Wasps. I expect more of the same here, so it could come down to someone like Brian or Keith producing a moment of magic.”

Earls has looked comfortable at fullback when Rua Tipoki was fit, and was used as a winger when winning the under-20 Grand Slam two years back. That was mainly due to Ulster’s Darren Cave being an out-and-out 13.

There have been whispers about his defence, on the premise that he hasn’t fully matured physically, and he is prone to the occasional wild pass. But, thus far, under scrutiny, his game has held up fine.

“He seems to have everything,” continued Woods. “He has improved with every high-level game for Munster this season. The only drawback is he could get exposed having been used in different positions, but there has been no evidence of this to date.”

Against Leinster last month he handed off Cian Healy before flying down the left touchline, and while Rob Kearney appeared to have him covered momentum took him over for a memorable try. Then, against the Ospreys in the quarter-final, the 21-year-old showed remarkable agility to twist over, again at the corner flag, as Mike Philips tried to hammer him into touch.

O’Driscoll remains the better player, but it really depends on what type of ball is coming out the line.

Either way, expect the Irish captain to go looking for the young contender in the opening stages.

The midfield battle is as much about Gordon D’Arcy stopping Mafi in his tracks, and his defensive record shows he should be up for the task, while making some inroads himself.

But if ever Leinster needed a vintage display from O’Driscoll, it is tomorrow.

“There is so much at stake that all four centres will be brought into the game as much as possible,” Woods concludes.