Leinster vs Munster URC semi-final preview
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Leinster vs Munster URC semi-final preview

This weekend provincial rivals Leinster and Munster will face each other in the URC semi-final play-offs.

Leinster made it to the semi-finals by beating the Sharks on Saturday, 36-5, while Munster overcame Glasgow in Scotland 5-14 on the same day.

Here's a full preview of the game between Munster and Leinster this coming Saturday.

Munster vs Leinster Dublin , Ireland - 27 March 2021; Tadhg Beirne of Munster (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Where's it on?

Aviva Stadium

What time is it on?

18.30

What date is it on ?

Saturday, May 13

What TV Station is it on?

RTE TWO

What time does coverage start?

17.30

Can I listen to it on the radio?

Saturday Sport on RTE Radio 1

How have both teams got here?

Munster finished 5th in the United Rugby Championship. They beat Glasgow on Saturday to set up a tie with Leinster.

Leinster finished top of the table. They beat the Sharks in convincing fashion on the same day.

Can I still get tickets?

Yes, here

What is this year's head-to-head like?

Leinster have won all two meetings in the URC this year

Leinster 27 Munster 13
Munster 19 Leinster 20

What happened the last time these sides met?

Leinster secured a 20-19 interprovincial derby win over Munster at Thomond Park in December.

Who were the scorers that day?

Munster: Tries: Coombes (31), Penalty (44), Campbell (64)
Conversions: Carbery (31
Leinster: Tries: Penny (49), Sheehan (53)
Conversions: Byrne (49,55)
Penalties: Byrne (3,20)

What's the weather like for Saturday?

https://www.accuweather.com/en/ie/dublin/207931/daily-weather-forecast/207931?day=6

What are the teams?

Leinster have selected a back three of Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, and Davy Kearney, who announced he would be leaving the province this week.

Luke McGrath captains the side from scrumhalf. He is joined in the half-backs by Harry Byrne.

In midfield Robbie Henshaw and Charlie Ngatai get the nod by Leo Cullen.

In the front pack Michael Milne and Michael Alaalatoa start either side of Ronan Kelleher.

Providing cover is Ryan Baird and Jason Jenkins in the second row.

Finally the side is completed by a back row three of Max Deegan, Will Connors , and Jack Conan .

Leinster

Fullback: 15. Jimmy O’Brien
Winger: 14. Tommy O’Brien
Centres: 13. Robbie Henshaw 12. Charlie Ngatai
Winger: 11. Dave Kearney
Out half: 10. Harry Byrne Scrum half: 9. Luke McGrath CAPTAIN
Front Row: 1. Michael Milne 2. Rónan Kelleher 3. Michael Ala’alatoa
Second Row: 4. Ryan Baird 5. Jason Jenkins
Back Row: 6. Max Deegan 7. Will Connors 8. Jack Conan

Replacements: 16. John McKee (17. Cian Healy 18. Thomas Clarkson 19. Joe McCarthy 20. Josh van der Flier 21. Nick McCarthy 22. CiarĂĄn Frawley 23. Liam Turner

Graham Rowntree has made four personnel changes and two positional switches to his side.

Craig Casey, Ben Healy and John Hodnett also come into the side with Tadhg Beirne moving into the second row as Jack Crowley starts at inside centre.

Keith Earls has recovered and starts in a back three with Mike Haley and Shane Daly.

Casey starts at scrum half, beside Healy at outhalf.

Munster's midfield consists of Antoine Frisch, and Jack Crowley

Jeremy Loughman, Barron and Stephen Archer pack down in an unchanged front row.

Jean Kleyn and Beirne start in the engine room with Peter O’Mahony, Hodnett and Gavin Coombes completing the side.

Jack O’Donoghue, Neil Cronin and Rory Scannell start on the bench

Munster

Fullback: 15. Mike Haley
Winger: 14. Keith Earls,
Centres: 13. Antoine Frisch, 12. Jack Crowley
Winger: 11. Shane Daly
Out half: 10. Ben Healy Scrum half: 9. Craig Casey
Front Row: 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Diarmuid Barron, 3. Stephen Archer
Second Row: 4. Stephen Archer; 5. Jean Kleyn,
Back Row: 6.Peter O’Mahony (C), 7.John Hodnett, 8. Gavin Coombes

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Neil Cronin, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen.

What are the odds?

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/united-rugby-championship/leinster-v-munster/winner