With only a handful of changes across both teams from when the sides last met a fortnight ago in the penultimate round of the regular season, it would be reasonable to assume another tight encounter is in prospect when Leinster and Munster meet in Dublin for the first PRO14 semi-final of the 2019/20 season.
Looking at the attacking stats from that 27-25 win for the Dubliners, Leinster were easily the better side with more clean breaks, defenders beaten and metres made but a high penalty count of 15-8 against combined with three missed lineouts, and long periods defending without the ball, conspired to make it a two-point game.
As it stands right now, Leo Cullen’s winning machine is at 21 matches unbeaten in a run which stretches all the way back to their semi-final triumph over Munster last season.
And it would be a brave man to predict against them keeping that unblemished record intact for at least another week.
Leinster (1/3 to win outright) are a team well-versed in coming up with a big play at big moments in big games, and Munster fans should be prepared for more semi-final heartache.
Capital gains for Ulster
In Saturday’s semi-final, Edinburgh are bidding to make their first PRO14 final in head coach Richard Cockerill’s third season in charge, while Ulster hope to end a seven-wait to get to the showpiece match.
Edinburgh were beaten 15-3 by Glasgow last time out but clearly their thoughts were dominated by this wekeend’s clash.
Similarly, Ulster were not at the races in losing 28-10 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium but Dan MacFarland’s side will need no second invitation to be up for this one.
The Northern Irish province have won their last three matches against Edinburgh including two at BT Murrayfield, and in the overall head-to-head stakes, exactly two-thirds of the 33 games have gone their way.
Giving Ulster a +6 start on the handicap (10/11) looks generous.
