Leinster and Munster are set to renew their age-old rivalry this Saturday as knockout rugby comes to the Aviva Stadium. The two Irish giants meet in this year's URC semi-final as Leinster look to complete the double and Munster aim to reignite their status as one of Europe's great sides. We have all the information on how to watch Leinster v Munster right here.
Leinster v Munster: TV details
Leinster v Munster will be broadcast live on RTE 2 with coverage beginning at 16:45 ahead of kick-off at 17:30.
When does Leinster v Munster take place?
Leinster v Munster to takes place at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday the 13th of May at 17:30.
26 December 2022; Jamie Osborne of Leinster is tackled by Joey Carbery, left, and Jack Crowley of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
What is at stake?
Munster are already out of Europe and a loss to Leinster in Saturday's semi-final would see them finish yet another season without a trophy. A win on the other hand would give them every chance of winning a URC title and bringing silverware back to Limerick for the first time since 2011 when they came out on the right side of another Leinster v Munster classic.
On the other hand, Leinster will have to be more economical. They're still competing on two fronts and Leo Cullen will be conscious of just how costly a win on Saturday could be. Beating Munster will take them into both the European and URC finals teeing them up for the illustrious double.
The story so far
Leinster's form needs no introduction. Leo Cullen's men have lost just once this season, finishing eleven points clear at the top of the table. They've already played three knockout games including their URC quarter-final against the Sharks as well as Toulouse and Leicester beating them all comfortably.
On the other hand, Munster finished fifth in the URC table winning just ten of their eighteen games in the regular season. Despite that they finished well, beating Glasgow away 14-5 in their quarter-final. However, the win came at a high cost with RG Snyman, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Malakai Fekitoa all sustaining injuries that rule them out of the clash.
While Leinster may be heavy favourites, these two sides met in December where they played one of the season's best games, with Leinster winning by just a single point in the end.
Team News
Leinster
A Leinster side not as strong as some supporters would've liked for Leinster v Munster with Furlong, Sheehan and Porter all missing. Harry Byrne starts at ten while Ross Byrne isn't in the 23. Robbie Henshaw starts as does scrumhalf and captain Luke McGrath, while world player of the year Josh Van der Flier is named on the bench.
📥 | 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣...
Here is the #LeinsterRugby team to face @Munsterrugby in the #BKTURC Semi-Final tomorrow evening in @AvivaStadium.#LEIvMUN #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/5CjW1U3Xa6— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 12, 2023
Munster
Unsurprisingly Peter O Mahony has defied the odds and overcome last week's injury to both start and captain Munster this weekend. However, with plenty of other injuries, Jack Crowley has moved to 12 with Ben Healy starting at out-half. Jean Kleyn starts in the second row while Tadgh Beirne comes in and joins him. Keith Earls also makes his return from injury starting at 14. Joey Carbery misses out on squad selection.
15. Mike Haley; 14. Keith Earls 13. Antoine Frisch 12. Jack Crowley 11. Shane Daly 10. Ben Healy 9. Craig Casey; 1. Jeremy Loughman 2. Diarmuid Barron 3. Stephen Archer 4. Jean Kleyn 5. Tadhg Beirne 6.Peter O’Mahony (C) 7. John Hodnett 8. Gavin Coombes.
📢 TEAM NEWS | The Munster side has been named for tomorrow's #URC semi-final against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
Peter O'Mahony captains the team with Keith Earls, Craig Casey, Ben Healy & John Hodnett coming into the starting XV.
See full details ⤵️#LEIvMUN #SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 12, 2023
That's all the information you need for Leinster v Munster this Saturday.
