David Corkery: Munster and Leinster hate each other... and we wouldn't have it any other way

Rugby union has changed a lot lately, for good and bad, but the one thing that stays the same is is the hatred that exists between the chaps from D4 and the tradesmen from Munster.

I realise the word hatred is a very strong definition but if I used some other kind of lesser classification I would only be doing it a monumental disservice.

I use the expressions chaps and tradesmen because that is exactly how history has portrayed the classes who play in the capital and those who lace up the boots down south. Some might disagree of course.

Having been involved in these games when the outcome didn’t have the same kind of importance it does today, I can assure you the players who occupied the dressing rooms back then were feeling the same kind of loathing as the ones who'll roar out onto the consecrated surface of Thomond Park tonight. 

And I truly hope this will never change.

Going on current form, only a fool would bet against the visitors hitting the road back home with a trunk full of points and big vulgar grins on their faces.  

Before we get down to the nuts and bolts of this game, I’d like to offer my opinion on the outburst by Connacht and Irish international Mack Hansen after his side were narrowly beaten last week.

ENOUGH

Hansen, who is a colourful character, decided that he’d had enough. The Australian took exception to some of the calls referee Chris Busby made for Leinster and against his team during the post-match press conference. 

I'd applaud him for doing so because there are not too many out there with the balls to speak their minds.

Most commentators, pundits, coaches and players are afraid of their lives to question or speak up but there comes a point when someone like Hansen has had enough and lets rip.

For players and coaches whose livelihoods are fed by the professional game, speaking up is not a very wise thing to do, in case you are accused of having brought the game into disrepute.

I’d like to see, is an independent report published into Hansen’s claims and then for whatever conclusion is surmised to be acted upon. I realise that referees are human and can get calls wrong but results are what professional rugby players are judged on. 

Winning or losing can easily determine whether their contract is renewed or they are released at the end of the season.

Now, back to tonight’s game. As stated above I really can’t see Munster upsetting the odds tonight. 

However, what I want to see is a performance from them that shows to us that they are heading in the right direction.

In this derby, Munster need to be clever in their attack and test Leinster’s defensive capabilities by trying different ways of making holes where once there were brick walls.

They need to contest the Leinster line-out on every single throw-in and make sure that their own line-out is fruitful.

I don’t want to see the likes of Peter O’Mahony and Thomas Ahern stuck out on the wing waiting for a crossfield kick that might never come. 

If Jack Crowley is to have any hope of keeping his players on the front foot, the donkey work must be done first and O’Mahony and Ahern will be needed in the boiler room.

Hopefully, Munster’s lack of back-up front rows won’t come into play too much. And if it does, the safety of the players will come first. 

Such is Leinster’s strength in this department, I would truly fear for the safety of any young Munster prop who had to pack down against the likes of Healy, Furlong and Porter.

Miracles are known to happen at this time of year, but I just can’t see the man above having that many to dish out in Limerick on this occasion.

A good result would be a bonus-point loss.