Munster Rugby target Christmas cheer against Leinster at 'sold-out' Thomond Park

MUNSTER Rugby will be looking to secure just their second victory in seven meetings with arch rivals Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at a sold-out Thomond Park on St Stephen's Day, 7.35pm, live on RTE2, Premier Sports.

Munster will also be aiming to improve on their home record against provincial rivals in the URC in Limerick having lost three of their last four fixtures with Irish rivals at Thomond Park. 

Munster's URC semi-final win against Leinster in Dublin last May was a significant moment for Graham Rowntree's side in their run to league glory. However, Leinster have won on each of their last four visits to Thomond Park.

Holders Munster currently sit in sixth place in the URC table, six points behind second-placed Leinster.

In team news for Munster ahead of the St Stephen's Day showdown, tighthead prop Oli Jager makes his first start for the side on his third appearance for the province.

Dave Kilcoyne joins Jager in the front row on his first start of the campaign with Academy lock Edwin Edogbo returning from injury to take his place in the second row. It will be Edogbo’s seventh start of the campaign.

In the backline, Simon Zebo comes into the side at full-back for his second appearance of the season with Shane Daly moving to the left wing.

In line with IRFU player management guidelines, Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray were unavailable for selection having featured in all five games since returning from international duty.

The duo also played in all five matches of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign in France.

Scrum-half Craig Casey will partner Jack Crowley at half-back for the Festive derby.

Ireland international Casey believes he has come back from the Rugby World Cup in the autumn a better player.

“Since coming back in after the World Cup it has been go, go, go, but I wouldn't have it any other way to be honest with you. I love playing games. Yes, the bodies are sore the Monday, Tuesday after games, but in fairness the S&C programme is brilliant here," Craig Casey said.

“They will always tailor your needs if you are a feeling a bit sore and can't do something, you can do it another day and things like that. But it has been great.

“I will definitely take my rest when it comes because it is obviously a long season.

“The rest is definitely a part of the pro game at the minute, especially in Ireland, they look after us very well.

“But while you are in it you got to love playing those games, making those mistakes, learning from those mistakes and getting better week on week which I fell I have definitely done since the World Cup.

“I feel like I came back a way better player than when I was in that first week of pre-season.

“I think I have learned so much and then learned an awful lot over at the World Cup, definitely became a better player over the summer.

“ I think I have shown that over the first few games of the season that I have definitely improved and am delighted with the stamp I have put on my game so far this season, but I definitely have to get better.”

MUNSTER RUGBY: Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, Diarmuid Barron (CAPT), Oli Jager; Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Jack O'Donoghue Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O'Brien.

LEINSTER RUGBY: Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (CAPT), Ciarán Frawley, Rob Russell, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Jack Conan. Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ed Byrne, Thomas Clarkson, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Luke McGrath, Liam Turner, Will Connors.

REFEREE: Andy Brace (IRFU)