LIONS COACH Ian McGeechan believes the Munster lineout can win the Test series in South Africa and there is a lot of evidence to support this. It proved a vital tool in capturing the Grand Slam, with Paul O’Connell, John Hayes and Jerry Flannery striking up an excellent core partnership in recent seasons.

Donncha O’Callaghan is another quality operator at number two, while Alan Quinlan, David Wallace and even Denis Leamy can all supply quick attacking ball at the tail.

But to discount the aerial abilities of Leo Cullen and Mal O’Kelly would be foolish. In fact, this is the one area in which Leinster can genuinely challenge Munster.

“They will definitely attack the Munster lineout and O’Connell especially through Leo,” said London Irish captain and former Leinster lock Bob Casey. “If they get Mal and Rocky Elsom in the air as well, they will put them under pressure. They have before. Leinster have a very good defensive lineout and reinforced that against ’Quins.”

Bernard Jackman’s lineout throwing has arguably denied him more Irish caps but, like Flannery, the Leinster hooker has an option at the back in Jamie Heaslip or Elsom.

When it comes to the motivational stakes, this seems like the perfect environment for Jackman and Cullen, but especially O’Kelly. Having been usurped in the Six Nations squad by Munster replacement Mick O’Driscoll, without a convincing reason aired publicly by the management, the 34-year-old St Mary’s man will be keen to remind supporters how he built his reputation as a world-class lineout operator.

“The problem is, even when you know it is going to Paulie it is hard to stop as Jerry’s throws have so much pace,” Casey continues. “John Hayes really is everything people say he is as a lifter. The man is 6ft 4in, so straight away he is getting you higher and, believe me, he is as strong as they come.

“The key is to disrupt throws to O’Connell and force them to the back. Donncha O’Callaghan is banker ball at two, so that’s no use either. Leo runs a good lineout and he will challenge O’Connell in the middle.

“It’s a vitally important area and by no means clear-cut. Despite the new rules this season, there are up to 17 lineouts per game and that is the only guaranteed ball due to the decrease in scrums.”

Props Cian Healy and Stan Wright will have a part to play as well in the defensive lineouts, but because both groups know each other so well this battle will probably be sorted in the video room this week.