While her Munster team are safely through to the final, Maeve Óg O'Leary knows that Leinster are in the last-chance saloon in the final round of the Women's Interprovincial series kicks off this weekend.
Defending champions Munster are two from two after victories over Ulster and Connacht, while Leinster suffered a shock defeat to Connacht on the opening day.
Tania Rosser's side bounced back with a win over Ulster but have to beat Munster this weekend in Donnybrook (4.45pm) to guarantee a place in the final.
"Connacht's win over Leinster was so exciting and kind of out of the blue but they showed what they can do and we knew coming in last week that we’d have a big fight and they’ve put themselves in contention now for the final in Musgrave next week, so it’s going to be a big one," Ireland flanker O'Leary said.
"No one knows where they stand right now whereas usually, after two games, you’d have a good idea but that’s the beauty of it, you want it to be exciting, you want every game to be a nailbiter and a decision-maker so that’s all good."
O'Leary, who has four Ireland caps, is contracted to the IRFU and based in the High Performance Centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
There she mixes on a daily basis with her international team-mates from Leinster and she says their situation only adds to what is a special rivalry.
"The chance to play in a Munster jersey is actually very rare and then playing against Leinster is always the big one so tension has definitely been building," she said.
"We’re in camp together every day in Dublin so we’re around each other all the time and there’s definitely that competitive edge between us at mealtimes and during training sessions… there’s definitely been something building.
"It is gas. You don’t want to be in physio at the same time as anyone from Leinster just in case your minutes might be changed or you don’t want to be reviewing anything together but, in fairness, we’re pretty respectful, same as the lads would do.
"You go about your business... in the High Performance Centre we’re very focused on our goal up here and then when we split into our provinces during week nights [Munster is Tuesday and Thursday] your focus is on your job down there it actually works out quite well."
The Vodafone series, taking place in a new slot just eight months since last season's tournament, is somewhat overshadowed by the men's preparation for the World Cup, but O'Leary says they are just focusing on getting the best out of themselves each Saturday.
"It's a hard one," says the 23-year-old, who made her Ireland debut against the USA in 2021, and hopes to make new head coach Scott Bemand's panel for October's WXV3 series.
"Of course sponsors are looking towards the World Cup with the men already, we had our last interpros [a few] months ago, it’s difficult to understand as a player where publications are looking towards, especially as we did have great coverage six months ago. I’ve definitely noticed there’s been a lack of it this time around.
"I know some provinces have really upped the ante on their social media and in Munster we’ve had a sponsor like Marks & Spencer come through and they’ve done activations for us, that’s something we haven’t had before.
"But I think as players when you’re on the pitch you have to leave that sort of thing aside. There’s an interpro title at stake and we’re the ones being chased right now so our focus is very much on that."
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