If it seems like interprovincial clashes are such a regular occurrence at this stage of pandemic-induced fixture planning, then supporters of these two trophy-starved sides, Ulster and Munster, may wryly reflect on their last meeting.
It was actually five months ago when the pair prepared to meet in Ulster in buoyant moods, atop their respective conferences and seemingly bound for an unlikely meeting in the PRO14 decider, if they could maintain the pace.
Instead – although Ulster’s win propelled them still further ahead of Leinster in their conference, and hardly dented Munster’s facile emergence as winners of theirs – Ireland’s leading province, Leinster, would, as they always seem to do in these matters, have the final say.
Having first reeled Ulster in to qualify for the final, Leinster then did a familiar knockout number on Munster;
Ulster and Munster would then falter in different European competitions in depressingly familiar circumstances.
Ulster’s pain is much more visible, given their alarming implosion in the English midlands last weekend, which had swiftly followed a last-minute shocker that allowed Connacht to steal a win, with Ulster in possession on the opposition 22 in the game’s final play.
On the same weekend, Munster, at least, acquired a modicum of soothing balm, by finally eradicating their Leinster hoodoo and they will clearly be feeling a lot better about themselves.
Both coaches have made swingeing changes, heralding youth in most cases, but not in all; Munster’s installation as nine-point favourites reflects the presence of two 2021 Lion tourists and a one-time Lions captain in their midst.
Ulster will unfurl an exciting back-line, including the gifted but luckless Will Addison, but even with their solitary 2021 Lion Iain Henderson in situ, they may struggle up front should Munster match their recent mettle. They cannot afford a third successive loss as Munster eye another local scalp to re-energise them as the blizzard of must-win games continue apace.
“They are, and it’s up against Ulster again, it’s up against Connacht, those are the two that are left,” says assistant coach JP Ferreira. “There’s nothing better than playing against Ulster or Connacht, like we did against Leinster. It’s just derbies so the passion will be there, and there are greater goals for the summer tour. But, as a Munster group, we just focus on performing, and hopefully we get into that final.”
Verdict: Munster
Ulster – J Stockdale; R Lyttle, W Addison, S McCloskey, E McIlroy; M Lowry, A Mathewson; A Warwick, J Andrew, T O’Toole, A O’Connor, I Henderson capt, J Murphy, M Rea, D McCann. Reps: R Herring, C Reid, M Moore, S Carter, N Timoney, D Shanahan, A Curtis, J Hume.
Munster – M Haley; A Conway, D Goggin, R Scannell, S Daly; JJ Hanrahan, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, N Scannell, J Ryan, F Wycherley, T Beirne; P O’Mahony (capt), C Cloete, G Coombes. Reps: K O’Byrne, J Loughman, R Salanoa, J Kleyn, CJ Stander, N McCarthy, B Healy, D de Allende.
Ref – Craig Evans (WRU)