Pro14 to culminate in an Irish storm as Leinster take on Munster
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Although the RDS stadium will not reverberate with the cheers, shouts, curses and clapping of passionate fans, an electric atmosphere is sure to germinate on the pitch – nourished by 141 years of blood, sweat, tears and tradition - as the blue and red jerseys take the field in Saturday evening’s 2021 Pro14 Final clash between Leinster and Munster.
There will be little need to stoke the fire of this match-up with the players expected to leave everything out on the pitch in honour of one of the most revered rivalries in Irish rugby.
The teams have crossed swords once already this season – a tight battle at Thomond Park which saw Leinster edge the home side by 13-10.
We’re proud to support @LeinsterRugby, because we know that competition is a good thing 🏉
Leinster used 57 players to top Pool A of @PRO14Official.
They meet Munster in Saturday's final at 5pm.
These are some of the key player stats of the season 📊#NeverStopCompeting
— Bank of Ireland (@bankofireland) March 25, 2021
Munster exhibited some noteworthy energy during opening exchanges which yielded a quick 10 points on the board for them while Leinster snatched points here and there as they slowly crept back into the match with some solid defence. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Leinster took the lead through an against-the-flow-of-play try and, thereafter, managed to hold out for the victory. With that win, Leo Cullen’s charges equalled the most consecutive wins in the history of this particular fixture (5).
Munster will thus feel that they are due a Leinster scalp, the last time they took one being back in 2018-19 when they prevailed 26-17.
While Leinster have the benefit of riding a wave of confidence forged by their statistical prowess, their recent results will only have heightened the hunger of Munster for victory and, with all of the emotion which walks hand-in-hand with a final, Leinster are set to face a fiery red wave on Saturday evening.
We’re proud to support @Munsterrugby , because we know that competition makes us stronger💪
— Bank of Ireland (@bankofireland) March 25, 2021
53 players helped Munster to win Pool B of the @PRO14Official.
They meet Leinster in Saturday's Final at 5pm
These are some of the key player stats of the season 📊#NeverStopCompeting
Sadly, the records of the rivalry prior to 1946 are vague, so it is from that year onwards that the following statistics are derived:
Since ’46, the teams have met 103 times with Leinster victorious on 55 occasions, Munster winning 43 while 5 draws have occurred.
Leinster’s biggest winning margin in this fixture is 32 points; when they put Munster to the sword 32-0 in the 1958-59 season.
Munster’s record in terms of margins against their old foes is 24 points; when they brought the hammer down 30-6 in the 2005-06 season.
While it is hoped that the game on Saturday will be full of tries and action, it is interesting to note that the highest scoring encounter between these two outfits took place in 1996-97, when Munster put 45 points on the board to Leinster’s 40.
Some recent words from the coaches:
As the cauldron of emotion boils within the respective change-rooms before the blast of the kick-off whistle, let us hope that it translates into a game worthy of this great Irish tradition.
