The stakes are not as high as 2009, but today’s URC derby in Drumcondra will be an occasion to savour.
WITH APOLOGIES TO the good people of Inchicore, who recently had their homeplace named one of the “coolest neighbourhoods on the planet” by Time Out magazine, if you’re in Dublin today then Drumcondra is the only place to be.
Munster boss Graham Rowntree won’t be the only man making his first visit to Croke Park this weekend, but for many of those set to take to the pitch, the GAA has served as an important part of their life. Munster out-half Jack Crowley grew up wanting to be Joe Deane. His understudy today, Tony Butler, played minor hurling for Clare. If you haven’t seen the footage of a young Tadhg Furlong breaking out of defence for Horeswood, then stop reading this right now and get on YouTube.
With their backline options limited, both Harry and Ross Byrne are named on the bench, bringing Leinster’s out-half tally for the day to three. Should they suffer an early setback, expect Ciarán Frawley to be pushed from 10 to cover where needed. It’s a massive day for Frawley, who has had to be patient for his chances at out-half, and if he delivers the Leinster 10 jersey could finally be his to lose.
Their own injury problems have been well covered but the return of Alex Nankivell at centre is a significant boost, as is the form of new recruit Tom Farrell beside him. In the pack, Tadhg Beirne and Jean Kleyn form a formidable second row that will aim to knock Barron off course at the lineout. Rowntree has named a physical backline, and in Jack Crowley and Craig Casey, the province possess two half-backs who have shifted from promising talents to big game players.
“It’s amazing to see Tadhg Beirne coming up as Munster captain. That as a story alone, and then there are guys like Tom Farrell . You have Tyler coming in here. Jacques has coached in the red corner and now the blue corner. You have an amazing arena to perform in for the players.”
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