Leinster flex their muscle to show the gulf in class between with Munster

Despite being the clash of Ireland’s best, there has been a gulf between Munster and Leinster over the past decade.

Last weekend’s all Irish clash between Leinster vs Munster was one of, if not the biggest game in the URC this season. Leinster sat top of the table, with Munster following in behind in third just a couple points off of Ulster who are closest to the blues.

Despite successive losses in South Africa with conditions playing their part, Munster regrouped with a win in the previous round as they welcomed the table toppers to Thomond Park.

Leinster, like they have been for the best part of a decade, have been dominant this season, steamrolling their competition in both the URC and the Champions Cup.

Nonetheless, there was a feeling that it could be a game where Munster overcame their illustrious visitors with so much more on the line for the third placed outfit.

Alas, the clash this weekend shed light on the current gulf we see appearing in performances between the two sides.

Munster were able to stand toe to toe with Leo Cullen’s Leinster throughout the first half despite a try for the away side with Joey Carbery’s boot keeping them in touch as they trailed by just two at the interval.

As such, Johan Van Graan and his side would have been confident continuing this into the second half.

Sadly, for the Munster contingent, this sentiment was not meant to be as throughout the second half Leinster grew into the game, scoring three tries in the second half to earn the bonus point.

Munster could only hit back with one of their own and slowly faded put of the game with their sights of victory in tow as the game finished 19-34 following plenty of other defeats like it throughout the last few years.

Since the 2018 season Munster have consistently been the side that comes out second best in the meetings of the interprovincial rivals.

Seven out of the last eight games have seen a Leinster victory, with six victories in a row for the men in blue, breaking the record for the most consecutive wins in a this clash.

Leinster’s dominance over the red province has also been evident in the international side. Each international window the Irish team is littered with Leinster players who cover the positions of some of Munster’s best and we ask why is that?

A factor could be Leinster’s coaching for a start. Leo Cullen has proven to be one of the better minds in rugby as he continues to be director of rugby operations.

Leinster also have the benefit of having former English Head Coach Stuart Lancaster helping steer the ship with Cullen.

The pair have managed to get the best out of the players that their academy has been putting together as new talents come through every season and perform at a top level.

The consistent churning of top quality talents such as Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, Dan Sheehan, Ryan Baird, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Jordan Lamour to name a few are all examples of top quality academy players developing into international stars.

That being said, it isn’t all doom and gloom from a Munster perspective. Munster seem to be making the same steps Leinster did that led to such successes. A wealth of young talent is coming from the academy and so on such as Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey and Alex Kendellen among those making waves in the south.

With the departure of Johan Van Graan this summer Munster will be looking to rebuild their side with a gradual shift towards a more expansive game style.

Right now however, is the more pressing matter is of how Munster finish the season.

The reds are still in the running for both the URC title and the Champions cup. So often under JvG, Munster have falling at the final hurdles but success in either, which looks a long shot right now, would be the perfect send off and lay the foundation for the future.

But while one of the provinces continues to glide smoothly in one direction, the other trumbles behind with countless bumps on the road.