Stuart Lancaster can look forward to big away days against the likes of Toulouse and Toulon next season but the Leinster coach says nothing compares to interprovincial derbies.
Having already won away to Ulster and Connacht, Leinster play their third interpro of the season on Saturday when they face Munster at the Aviva Stadium, live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.
"I'll miss them massively," said Lancaster, who joins Racing 92 at the end of the season.
"The Top 14 is different, you’ve got 14 teams going at it and some big away games – Toulouse, Toulon. Nothing quite compares to the interprovincial derbies in my opinion.
"You get a little bit of that in England sometimes when you’ve Bath v Bristol, teams in the south-west playing each, teams in London playing each other.
"But it’s pretty unique in Ireland. I will miss them and will enjoy them while I’m here, for sure."
Stuart Lancaster says he will miss the rivalry of interprovincial derbies when he joins Racing 92 next season
Leinster sit top of the BKT United Rugby Championship with five wins from five but Lancaster is wary of a Munster side that claimed a morale-boosting win over the Vodacom Bulls last weekend.
"They'll be pleased with their performance, they beat a team that beat in the semi-finals last year," said Lancaster.
"Denis Leamy was here, I know him well and worked with him particularly in the contact area and defence. I can see the influence he’s had. Mike Prendergast has done a great job on the attack, you can see the improvements there.
"I know Graham [Rowntree] very well. His energy, competitiveness and desire to build a winning team will make sure they’re more than prepared.
"There’s a lot of knowledge about Leinster in the Munster camp. That’s what makes them tricky opponents. The rivalry between the provinces means form goes out the window. It’s a proper derby."
While around 40,000 supporters are expected to be in attendance at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, times are tough in Lancaster’s native England where Wasps and Worcester have both gone into administration.
Both clubs face relegation from the English Premiership with their entire playing and coaching staffs made redundant.
"It’s a tough environment to be in," said Lancaster. "The South African teams have been a good addition to the URC with the TV revenue and interest it’s generated to make it very competitive league.
"I don’t think Leinster or any team will be sitting there thinking they’ve all answers covered in terms of the growth of the game. If we can put performances in like we did against the Sharks, in front of 18,000 people at the RDS, and 35,000-40,000 people at the Aviva Stadium this weekend, that’s amazing when you consider the sport in the country.
"Ireland in particular, the four provinces and the union are in good shape.
"In England it’s very sad to see. I know a lot of people at both clubs, both young and older players and a lot of the coaching staff as well.
"My son [Dan] plays in England at the moment and I’m just grateful he has got a job and an opportunity to progress as a rugby player."
Watch Leinster v Munster in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport and follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
