Leinster 21 Munster 4.
That's the Leinster-Munster scoreline from Andy Farrell’s Ireland selection for the upcoming November internationals.
The breakdown of players per province underscores how tough Munster’s task will be when they take on the bulk suppliers to the national team and indeed the British and Lions in Croke Park on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).
Tadhg Beirne and Jack Crowley start for Munster at GAA HQ, but the two other members of the squad, Craig Casey and Tom Ahern, are out injured.
Additionally, forwards Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson travel to Chicago as "cover" for the Test against New Zealand.
Thirteen of the Leinster team, supplemented by former Munster man RG Snyman and Alex Soroka, are in the international squad.
This time last year, Munster also had established internationals Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Dave Kilcoyne in the mix and their absence through retirement has cut their representation significantly.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan (above) knew he was playing catch-up before he arrived and he’ll see at close quarters this weekend just how big the gap is.
"Yeah, look, I’ve come into this job eyes wide open," said the New Zealander, whose team have won their opening three games.
"I was aware of the international talent that was leaving, the likes of Peter O'Mahony and those guys, and the relatively young squad that was left here.
"So, I'm under no illusions as to what I was walking into, but what I've encountered is a highly motivated group of young men who I think have a huge ceiling that we're nowhere near and what really excites me is where we can get to.
"And so part of my motivation for being here is around ensuring that we do change our fortunes around getting more players in the national side because there's a lot of positives that come from that.
"But it won't happen overnight.
"It only just comes through hard work, grit and determination and the selection on the weekend brings into stark reality the gulf that exists between Leinster and the other teams.
"But you won't hear me complaining about it and you won't hear me making excuses for anything.
"We've just got to roll up our sleeves and be better in a number of different areas to help bring that change to fruition."
🗣️ "They're bonded for life, whether they like it or not..."@bernardjackman paraphrases the great Ollie Campbell as he looks forward to Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley's H2H this week. 🔟
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 15, 2025
📺🎧 Full pod: https://t.co/JKfVaq7HZV pic.twitter.com/s8OUJjCyDx
McMillan was also asked about the mouthwatering match-up between Ireland out-halves Crowley and Sam Prendergast.
He cut straight to the chase. The out-half who gets the better of his counterpart tomorrow will have his forwards to thank.
"We’re very aware that there's two quality players going against each other," said the former Chiefs boss.
"The reality is that both of their fortunes have been dictated by the eight or nine blokes that are in front of them.
"If they do a good job the guy in the number 10 jersey usually gets an armchair ride and that's what we'll be needing to do."
Munster have lost the last four games against their rivals, who sit in tenth place in the table after winning just one their opening three matches.
"Well, the start for one," replied the Kiwi when asked what they need to improve on to compete with the URC champions.
"We can’t come out of there and sit on our heels and wait to feel what a quality Leinster side looks and feels like. If we do that then we’ll get run over.
"So we’ve got to come out of the blocks. We’ve got to be physical, we’ve got to be accurate, we’ve got to be disciplined.
"Before I even landed in Ireland, I think Leinster would be a team that is admired around the globe for the style of rugby that they play, the quality of player they have.
"So you know what you’re getting yourself in for and you certainly can’t afford to gift them any opportunities. You’ve got to make them work for everything and if you can do that for long enough you can give yourself a chance."
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Follow a live blog of Leinster v Munster in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Saturday from 5.15pm on on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
