There are few games that generate as much excitement as Leinster v Munster. Add a huge crowd at Aviva Stadium and you are sure to get fireworks.

The sides meet again this Saturday and tickets can be bought here.

In anticipation of this weekends game, we will take a look back at some of the most epic meetings between Leinster and Munster at Lansdowne Road.

 

2 April, 2016 – Leinster 16 Munster 13

Leinster went into the 2016 interpro against Munster off the back of a defeat away to Connacht.

Johnny Sexton took the bull by the horns and ensured Leinster wouldn’t lose two derbies in a row.

The out-half scored all of Leinster’s points, including a try just before half time. So determined to get over the line, Sexton didn’t even see the post was in his way and he burst towards the Munster line.

Leinster led 10-6 at half time. Two more penalties from Sexton in the second half secured the win. It was Leinster’s first double over Munster since the 2012/13 season.

 

15 Dec 2001 – Leinster 24 Munster 20

Leinster went in search of their first league title in the professional era in a decider against Munster in December, 2001.

With back-row, Eric Miller being dismissed after 25 minutes, the task facing Matt William’s side looked even tougher.

Munster’s Anthony Foley and John O’Neill scored the only tries of the first half as the men in red led 12-6 at the break. Nathan Spooner’s two kicks kept Leinster within touching distance.

Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan started a move that was finished off by Gordon D’Arcy, which was then converted by Spooner for a 19-15 lead.

In the final few minutes, Shane Horgan went over for Leinster, which sealed the game, and a first ever Celtic League title.

This winning team were celebrated at half time in our European game against Bath last season to mark the 20th anniversary of that win.

 

 

21 May 2022 – Leinster 35 Munster 25

In our most recent meeting, a young Leinster side put on an incredible display to secure a bonus point win against our local rivals.

With a number of internationals unavailable, Scott Penny and Cormac Foley scored brilliant first half tries. A penalty try after 50 minutes and a well worked team move was finished off by Rory O’Loughlin after 53 minutes securing the bonus point.

Academy scrum-half, Ben Murphy also came off the bench to make his Leinster Rugby debut.

 

Oct 2 2010 – Leinster 13 Munster 9

The first ever senior game at the brand new Aviva Stadium saw Leinster Rugby secure a fifth straight win over Munster with this come from behind win.

At half time, Munster led 9-6 thanks to three Ronan O’Gara penalties. Nacewa had converted Leinster’s two kicks.

The second half was a real arm-wrestle, until Seán O’Brien cleverly offloaded to Brian O’Driscoll who broke over the Munster line for the game’s only try.

Up to this point, Leinster had already lost three of their opening four games under new Head Coach, Joe Schmidt, having lost to Glasgow, Treviso and Edinburgh.

This win helped ease the pressure on the new coach and get the season back on track.

How did the season end? With a similar comeback win over Northampton in the Champions Cup final in Cardiff.

 

Sep 4 2020 – Leinster 13 Munster 3 – Pro 14 semi-final

Sadly, this is a game we all remember watching from home, as Leinster faced Munster at an empty Aviva Stadium in the Pro 14 semi-final.

Rugby returned in August 2020 after a six month hiatus due to Covid-19. While it was great having live sport back, it wasn’t easy for supporters not being able to attend.

The team didn’t let the lack of atmosphere affect them. Caelan Doris was named Player of the Match as Leinster ground out a tough win.

Rónan Kelleher scored the only try of the game after 27 minutes, with Johnny Sexton kicking the other points on the day.

Leinster Rugby would go on to claim the league title by beating Ulster 27-5 in the final.