It was once a highlight of the domestic season but Leinster v Munster has taken a back seat in recent years.
European success for the two provinces meant that one or the other, and usually both, have had other considerations to take into account when the inter-pro dates have rolled around.
However, the European Cup quarter-finals will take place in just under a fortnight and there will be no Irish team involved.
So the focus turns to the Guinness Pro12 meeting in the Aviva on Saturday (5.30pm).
Both teams are currently well-placed to qualify for European action next season but only silverware would soften the blow of their dismal pool-stage exits from this season's Champions Cup.
Munster coasted to a bonus-point win over Zebre last week, while Leinster fell to a 7-6 loss to table-toppers Connacht.
Ahead of upcoming ties against Connacht, Edinburgh and the Scarlets, Munster coach Anthony Foley knows that a result in Dublin would set them up nicely for the run in.
“You’re playing against your neighbour so it’s important we understand that there’s a lot riding on it, even before you look at the league table,” Foley told RTÉ Sport.
“It’s important that we prepare properly for it. I think the boys have come in this week and have gone about the job properly.
“Hopefully we can try and turn up fresh and ready to have a go at the Aviva.
“We’re fully fixed on Leinster at the moment; they are probably fully fixed on us as well. There’ll be nobody taking their eye off that and looking at the finishing line. This is a big game in itself.
“For the team it’s important that they stay in the moment and they stay doing their jobs.”
Foley also spoke about the loss of forward Mark Chisholm (above), who has been stood down for the rest of the season with concussion.
He said: “Mark obviously took a bad bang in the Dragons game. Further to medical advice he is taking extended leave to make sure everything is right.
"That’s the best way, that’s everything we need to do about that.
"It’s something that has a lot of profile at the moment but it gets very real when it’s one of your players. You tend to take a step back and understand the importance of it."
