On Saturday Night, Ireland hopeful and Munster scrum-half Craig Casey featured as the Cork men took on the defending United Rugby Championship champions.
Heading into the game, Leinster were bolstered by the return of Ireland international Jameson Gibson-Park, with Jaime Osborne coming in to start in place of Gary Ringrose after featuring on the bench during last week's Champions Cup opener.
Meanwhile, Munster were without a significant amount of their international-caliber talent, as Tom Ahern, Jeremy Loughman, and John Hodnett were all missing the game through injury, as Clayton McMillan was forced into making eleven changes, with both Sean Edogbo and Brian Gleeson, who was excluded from Ireland's international squad for November, coming off the bench.
Munster vs Leinster Lineups:
Leinster: Hugo Keenan, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien, Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Dan Sheehan (capt). Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Thomas Clarkson, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Caspar Gabriel, Charlie Tector.
Munster: Ben O’Connor, Shay McCarthy, Seán O’Brien, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly, Charlie O’Shea, Craig Casey; Josh Wycherley, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Michael Ala’alatoa, Seán Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Gordon Wood.
Scroll down for 5 Ireland hopefuls that Impressed at the Aviva Stadium
As It Happened: Leinster avoid Munster shock at the Aviva Stadium
By Liam Reynolds at the Aviva Stadium
On Saturday night, despite many believing that Leo Cullen's side would pose the greater threat, it was Munster that came out the blocks firing. Forcing Leinster into their own 22 following a kicking battle between both Ireland nines, it was Craig Casey who came out on top compared to his starting counterpart. After forcing a penalty from Leinster early in the game, Charlie O'Shea kicked the opening points.
With Sam Prendergast missing the game through injury, Munster's defense managed to shut out every attack Leinster could come up with in the first half, with former out-half Joey Carbery being forced into multiple turnovers across the game. Completely shutting down a back three built largely on Irish talent, Munster's attack looked far more fluid, with its lines and back-line play, and Casey set up Shane Daly for the opening try.
With Munster's opening dominance, it was Gibson-Park who responded with a try assist of his own to set up Leinster with their opening score off the back of a set piece in the 22.
Half Time: Munster 13-5 Leinster
Despite their opening struggles, during the first half, it was Leinster's back row, including Dan Sheehan at eight, that largely lacked impact. However, that completely shifted in the second half. With Ryan Baird crashing over for Leinster's second score off the back of a series of scrum penalties, the defending URC champions' success came from managing the turnover game.
During the first half, it was Munster, led by Gavin Coombes, who completely dominated at getting under the ball, with eight turnovers to Leinster's one as they struggled to get the likes of Baird, Joe McCarthy, Sheehan, Van Der Flier, and Ryan involved. And when Leinster looked like they were set to enter the 22 and take the lead, Munster's breakdown came up big again with another turnover as Beirne came up with the ball to deny their rivals.
However, the added pace of Gus McCarthy and Charlie Tector eventually paid dividends for Leinster as Munster eventually cracked, with Tector crashing over for Leinster's third try and their first lead of the game. Off the back of a second set piece in the 22, Gibson-Park found Jaime Osborne for the bonus-point try that eventually put the game to bed.
FULL TIME: Munster 24-18
5 Ireland Hopefuls That Impressed At The Aviva Stadium
By Liam Reynolds at the Aviva Stadium
1. Craig Casey
On Saturday night, there probably wasn't a single player in the country who made more of a statement than Munster's Craig Casey. After months of questioning over his place in Andy Farrell's Ireland plan, with the introduction of Ulster's Nathan Doak into the picture. On Saturday, when Clayton McMillan's side were on top, it all flowed through Casey at 9.
Setting the pace of the game early on with his controlled kicking, with just half the passes of Gibson-Park, the Munster number nine controlled a free-flowing Munster attack that could have potentially paid more dividends on the night, setting up Shane Daly for the opening score with a brilliant pop pass. As both the primary creator for McMillan's attack and a good second option for Munster's young scrum-half, Casey had one of the most dynamic performances of the night despite fading in the face of Leinster pressure.
2. Gavin Coombes
After years of not being included in Andy Farrell's Ireland plans, Gavin Coombes set a subtle reminder to the Ireland head coach on Saturday night. With Munster's defensive breakdown playing a key role in keeping them in the game, the Munster eight was tied with Beirne for turnovers won, leading the side in both defense and attack against the defending champions, and leading the province in carries.
Unlikely to be in consideration in the future, but with both Jack Conan and Caelan Doris likely to age out following the World Cup, a good reminder that Coombes is still in play.
3. Hugo Keenan
A mainstay in Andy Farrell's more than a 'hopeful ', the inclusion of Jaime Osborne in Farrell's squad, who primarily played at 15 during the Six Nations with Keenan out through injury, will serve as a reminder that Keenan's place isn't nailed down. Despite that, the Ireland fullback was the focal point of Leinster's attack at points, finishing the night with seven defenders beaten while also carrying for 68 metres, the most of any player.
4. Jimmy O'Brien
In the middle of a hot run of form, Jimmy O'Brien reintroduced himself to the Ireland back three that seems endless after he started Ireland's test at Eden Park during the summer. With the likes of Mack Hansen, Robert Balocoune and Tommy O'Brien vying for the starting spot, it was O'Brien who has featured the most for Leinster this season. On Saturday night, the Leinster winger was impervious to Leinster's efforts, with multiple dominant tackles.
5. Jamie Osborne
Able to consistently start at 11, 15, 12, and now 13, Jamie Osborne, in his current form, is one of the most valuable depth options in World Rugby. With Gary Ringrose missing Saturday's clash, the Leinster center, who consistently starts at 12 as opposed to 13, filled in seamlessly alongside Robbie Henshaw. Finishing the night with five defenders beaten and 48 metres carried, the Ireland option, who seems to be able to do everything, showcased his ball-carrying ability to lead Leinster over the line.
