Leinster rugby stands on the threshold of rehabilitation, aware that victory in tonight's Guinness interprovincial clash with Munster at Donnybrook would exorcise the bitter memory of early season inadequacy. More tangibly, it would sustain a lifeline to next season's European Cup.
Only the top two teams in this season's interpro series will definitely qualify for European rugby's premier competition next season. Munster has already accomplished that feat, while Ulster appears better placed to join them. The northern province should beat Connacht at Ravenhill tonight, thereby offering Leinster an ultimatum: win or suffer the ignominy of European Conference rugby next season.
The permutations are more varied but Leinster coach Mike Ruddock won't seek succour in mathematical lifelines. He watched his side return after the World Cup break to produce a high quality demolition of Connacht last weekend. Munster, the outstanding team in the competition to date, offers a more realistic benchmark of Leinster's progress.
The suggestion is that Ruddock's men are better equipped to deal with their present predicament. The introduction of Limerick man Liam Toland as Leinster captain has been immediately beneficial. His preoccupation with mentally tuning in the team has addressed perhaps the biggest flaw in the composition of Leinster rugby.
Toland is adamant that Leinster possesses the physical qualities to compete at the highest level but that their brittle mental application has undermined those other attributes. His team-mates responded emphatically against Connacht, noticeably in their collective defence.
Leinster will need to continue with their new work ethic against a Munster team that has coped superbly with the varying demands posed by opponents. An unbeaten journey to the penultimate weekend of the interpros has been characterised by passages of excellence. Typically aggressive and powerful up front, where Peter Clohessy, Keith Wood and John Langford have inspired, Munster's victories have been underpinned by the form and boot of Ronan O'Gara.
His duel tonight with his predecessor in the Munster jersey, Barry Everitt, offers one of the pivotal mini-clashes within the context of the match. Leinster will look to preoccupy Clohessy and Wood in scrummaging duties thereby draining their stamina for extra curricular activities. Munster will be equally keen to shade the battle of the back rows and prevent Costello from laying waste to the midfield with his powerful surges.
In the three-quarter line Leinster has a pronounced edge in pace and will focus on providing wings Denis Hickie and John McWeeney and promising full back Gordon D'Arcy with opportunities. Munster's Mike Mullins will provide Shane Horgan with another examination on the educational curve, while Killian Keane won't want to allow the underrated Peter McKenna any latitude.
Declan Kidney's Munster deserve the mantle of favouritism by virtue of their performances to date but as Kidney himself readily acknowledges, the gap between the sides is minimal and that is likely to be reflected in a tight encounter.
Munster appear that little bit more streetwise and confident at this juncture and galvanised by their quest to provide the province with the first ever back-to-back interpro titles, may just squeak home.
Permutations
If Munster beat Leinster then they will win the interprovincial title for the second year in succession.
If Leinster win and Ulster beat Connacht then the interpros will go down to the last weekend.
If Ulster win and Leinster lose then the northern province will secure a place in next season's European Cup.
If Munster are beaten but score four tries and lose by less than seven points (picking up two bonus points) and Ulster win but do not score four tries (one bonus point) then Munster would be crowned champions.
LEINSTER: G D'Arcy; J McWeeney, P McKenna, S Horgan, D Hickie; B Everitt, D Hegarty; R Corrigan, S Byrne, A McKeen; M O'Kelly, R Casey; D O'Brien, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: E Farrell, M McHugh, S Forster, C McEntee, B Cusack, P Smyth, P Coyle.
MUNSTER: D Crotty; J O'Neill, K Keane, M Mullins, J Kelly; R O'Gara, S Stringer; P Clohessy, K Wood, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), J Langford; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: C McMahon, J Holland, B O'Meara, E Halvey, M O'Driscoll, F Sheahan, M Horan.
Referee: S Landers (England).
