Tadhg Furlong has claimed he used to hate to see the sight of Munster jerseys growing up as Leinster and Munster prepare for their clash this weekend.
In one of the biggest rivalries in Irish sport, Leinster go into the game as favourites, with the blues having the only 100% record in the URC.
For Leinster, they are doing everything in their power for silverware after their first trophyless season for five years, while Munster are attempting to find their identity under a new coaching set up and some disappointing results.
A game that has produced some classic moments through the years, Leinster have dominated not only the encounters, but also the battle for silverware across the last decade.
READ HERE: Six Uncapped Players And A Returning Stockdale In Ireland's Autumn Squad
This wasn’t always the case however, as Munster were the top Irish province in the 2000s with two Heineken Cups. It could be argued that the 2009 semi-final between the sides changed the momentum of the rivalry, as Leinster defeated Munster 25-6.
For Tadhg Furlong, who grew up in Wexford, this has always been a fixture that has added extra incentive for victory.
'It breaks my heart to see Munster jerseys in there'
Tadhg Furlong talks about the "extra spice" of a Leinster v Munster derby
Watch Leinster v Munster in the BKT URC on Saturday from 4.30pm on @RTE2/@RTEPlayer, listen live on @SatSportRTE #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/Zk9jKBB245— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 20, 2022
It’s a derby game, like inter-pros are derby games. I would’ve grown up on a border town with Munster, you throw a stone across the river you’re in Waterford.
There always was that element of Munster and Leinster rugby in the locality and even in the rugby club, it used to break my heart to see Munster jerseys in there.
There is that extra spice about it definitely.
Furlong spent his formative years at New Ross RFC, a club that attracted players from both sides of the divide.
While Leinster may be going into this game top of the table and have dominated the fixture in recent seasons, Tadhg Furlong claims form is irrelevant, such is the magnitude of this fixture.
“You see even in the premiership just gone at the weekend Liverpool and Man City it’s on the day, these games are on the day.
You can read into the history, you can read into everything around the game, but it’s on the game that it matters, and I think that’s what makes these kind of days special for us.”
SEE ALSO: Dylan Hartley Shares Worrying 2011 Heineken Cup Final Story
