Munster v Leinster how they match up

THIS WILL be the 21st competitive meeting in European and League combat between these old provincial rivals, beginning with the Celtic League final of 2001 at Lansdowne Road. Leinster lead 11-9 in wins including the shared Heineken Cup semi-finals of 2006 and ’08 as well as last season’s League semi-final which Leinster won. They had racked up five wins in a row prior to Munster’s 24-23 victory at Thomond Park in early April.

Leinster have won seven matches in succession in all competitions since that day, while Munster are seeking a 10th successive win in the League and a 13th home win out of 13 at home in the league. Both Munster (champions in 2003 and ’09) and Leinster (’01 and ’08) are chasing a third League crown, with Leinster seeking to become the first team to win a European Cup-Celtic League double and thereby emulate the doubles of Toulouse, Leicester (twice) and Wasps.

If the match is tied after normal time, there will be 20 minutes’ extra time. If still level, the team that has scored the most tries throughout the match (normal time and extra time) will be declared the winner, and if that cannot separate them a kicking competition will decide the winner consisting of three nominated kickers from the teams which finished the match.

Last five meetings: (09-10) Leinster 30, Munster 0; Munster 15, Leinster 16; ML (s/f) Leinster 16, Munster 6; (10-11) Leinster 13, Munster 9; Munster 24, Leinster 23. Leading try scorers (ML 10-11) – Munster: Doug Howlett 7, James Coughlan, Johne Murphy, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, David Wallace 3 each. Leinster: Shane Horgan 8, Isaac Boss, Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa 4 each. Leading points scorers (ML 10-11) – Munster: Ronan O’Gara 179, Paul Warwick 110. Leinster: Isa Nacewa 142, Jonny Sexton 90.

Betting (Paddy Powers): 5/4 Munster, 22/1 Draw, 4/6 Leinster. Handicap odds (Munster +2pts): 10/11 Munster, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 Leinster.