BASKING in the glory of last weekend's remarkable triumph, the jokes have been flying around Leinster this week ahead of this evening's Magners League Grand Final clash with Munster at a sold-out Thomond Park (5.05).

One particularly cruel one involved the Drug Squad being called to Thomond Park yesterday only for the crisis to be averted when it was established that the suspicious white powder on the pitch was in fact the Leinster tryline.

The most remarkable statistic heading into this latest instalment in one of the most compelling rivalries in rugby is that Munster have not managed to cross the Leinster line in their last six meetings, failing to score a try since Denis Fogarty managed the feat back in April 2009. Not to be sniffed at.

It is rendered all the more puzzling by Munster's average of two tries per game during their regular season league campaign (44 in 22 matches) as they worked their way impressively to a record 13-point margin at the head of the table.

Leinster's defensive surety has been the bedrock upon which this season's success has been constructed, with last Saturday's three-try collapse in the first half of the Heineken Cup final against Northampton an aberration, swiftly put to bed in the second half when they did not concede a single point.

However, those events could provide a clue as to how things will unfold in Limerick a week later. Northampton profited from Leinster not being at the races in that first period, seemingly unnerved by the big-day pressure and their status as overwhelming favourites. They take to the pitch today as the stronger side seeking to become the first team to complete a Magners-Heineken double.

The question marks centre on their psychological state for, no matter how hard they try to maintain their mental focus for the final chapter of a long season, getting to the same level of intensity they had in the second half against Northampton is a major challenge. Cardiff is a hard act to follow.

For Munster, the psychological test is far simpler. Conclude the season with a trophy which recognises both their league consistency and determination to remain a major force in European rugby regardless of their Heineken and Challenge Cup disappointments this season.

It is safe to assume that, with two weeks of solitary focus behind them, Tony McGahan's men will be at full tilt this evening, just as they were when willpower drove them to victory in their April meeting with Leinster at the same venue.

The problem is that, even if Leinster are at 75pc, the visitors still have the capacity to produce spells of rugby that can leave any team clutching at air and, in keeping with his selections all season, Joe Schmidt has picked a clever side for his last outing in a stunning debut season.

Gordon D'Arcy was not available to start in any case, but Fergus McFadden's selection at inside-centre provides him with the ideal opportunity to send out a powerful message to Ireland coach Declan Kidney as the clock ticks down to the World Cup.

Similarly, Shane Jennings is rewarded for his critical contributions to Leinster's victories in the semi-final and final of the Heineken Cup and if he manages to help effect superiority at the breakdown against Ireland's incumbent No 7, David Wallace, it will give Kidney further food for thought.

Heinke van der Merwe is of no use to Kidney, but, while the South African is not as dynamic as Cian Healy in the loose, he is an accomplished scrummager and his performance could provide an insight to John Hayes' capacity to play a role at New Zealand 2011.

McGahan has stuck with the side that ground its way past the Ospreys in the semi-final, which means Danny Barnes, the two-try hero that day, suddenly finds himself marking Brian O'Driscoll, the best centre of his generation.

Barnes and Lifeimi Mafi face a massive defensive test against the Leinster midfield and the tackles need to go in hard and, in Mafi's case, low enough to prevent yellow cards.

There is talent in the Munster backline, and the back-three play since the return of Felix Jones from injury has shown what can be done with the right combination of belief and attacking brio.

However, Schmidt is among the foremost backline innovators in the game and Munster do not have his coaching equivalent, making it harder to end the try-scoring famine that has hindered them in this fixture.

If Marcus Horan and Hayes can provide a steady scrum and Damien Varley takes advantage of Munster's extra height at line-out time, then it is game on.

The Final Trial element to the clash provides extra incentive for both teams and, if McFadden and Jennings will be bulling for Leinster, then it is safe to say Wallace, James Coughlan, Donnacha Ryan, Conor Murray and Jones will be equally ferocious for the hosts.

Then there is the Ronan O'Gara factor. The out-half will have watched Jonathan Sexton's tour de force in Cardiff with a wry smile for it used to be O'Gara doing the Roy Of the Rovers bit in the Heineken Cup (he was voted the best player of the first 15 years of the competition) and garnering the plaudits afterwards.

Predictions are hazardous in the extreme. Leinster are the better side, but face the greater mental challenge, Munster have last-chance-saloon intensity and a stronger bench, but not the capacity to cope if Schmidt's men hit battle speed.

Expect a furious contest, O'Gara and Coughlan to play key roles for the home side, along with McFadden and Jennings for the guests and very little in it come the final whistle, which may just herald a narrow Leinster win.

Of course, if Munster do manage it, the joke is on Leinster's fans as their red counterparts can revel in the glory of beating the best team in Europe. We'll see.

Verdict: Leinster

- Hugh Farrelly

Irish Independent

If you could have scripted a fixture to crown the season, this would most definitely have been it. And if anyone out there thinks that there is a single member of the new European champions dreading the trek to Limerick, then think again.

They could well lose this afternoon, but every single Leinster player will be licking his lips at the prospect of this Magners League Grand Final showdown at Thomond Park.

This is tribal rivalry at its very best -- a fixture where form is meaningless, where passion rules.

For Tony McGahan and Munster, it is a heaven-sent opportunity to turn over the top team in Europe and take the Magners League crown they clearly deserve, given that they finished 13 points clear in the table.

For Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, opportunity knocks to create history and complete the fairytale double in his first season in charge.

And then there is Ireland coach Declan Kidney, for whom the most perfect unofficial final trial unfolds before a full house, with a no-holds-barred encounter set to shed light on some World Cup selections.

Schmidt is right when he calls the Celtic final a much "tougher test" than the Heineken Cup decider. That is no slight on Northampton, just a statement of fact, given the ingredients.

Jealous

Munster are fresh, hungry and jealous -- as well as high on confidence, given their one-point win (24-23) in the home league fixture six weeks ago.

The fact that they didn't score a try and haven't in half a dozen attempts against their old rivals (an extraordinary statistic) may rankle, but they won't care a jot if Ronan O'Gara kicks them to victory this evening.

The Heineken Cup final was a classic, the best I have witnessed, but this evening's Celtic encounter also has all the right ingredients for a monumental encounter. It should replicate Cardiff for thrills and spills, with an intensity that is absolutely guaranteed.

The one-try game back in April was pure theatre and, irrespective of the outcome, I would settle for that again. One way or the other, we won't be disappointed -- take that as read.

So, what exactly can we expect?

A Leinster side that wants to win is coming to Limerick with the intention of ransacking a Munster side that has to win. With 19 victories from 22 games in the regular league, the best team over the course of the marathon campaign is desperate to complete the job now.

I have mixed views on the play-off formula. When it was first introduced to the All-Ireland League, I felt it was unfair that the team that had proven it was the best, by finishing top of the table, had to win it again -- to be sure, to be sure.

The play-off system is now part and parcel of the professional game. It is not so much a necessary evil as an extension to the long-term planning when the initial team goals are set.

To draw comparison with long-distance running, it's about pacing, about planning for the season and selecting teams throughout the campaign (in regular league and play-offs) accordingly.

What is beyond dispute is that the two best teams in the competition by a mile (those finishing first and second in the table) have made it through to today's finale, with Munster deserving of home advantage.

The attendance would have been doubled if the final had been switched to the Aviva Stadium, but that would have been unfair in the extreme -- unless the decision is made that the Grand Final should always be held in a predetermined venue (much like the Heineken).

We won't bother going through all the obvious unit and individual match-ups -- they are old hat at this stage. But, for some, the stakes are extremely high, given the switch in focus after today to New Zealand 2011.

Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, James Coughlan and Felix Jones all have a chance to lay down a World Cup marker.

For Leinster captain Leo Cullen, the stage is set to take on Donncha O'Callaghan and make it a case of either/or to partner Paul O'Connell in the second-row against the US Eagles in the World Cup opener.

Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald and Fergus McFadden (who edges closer by the game) can all further their case for a place on the plane. So, too, Shane Jennings, whose half-time introduction at the Millennium Stadium last week certainly played a part in Leinster's remarkable turnaround.

He and Denis Leamy have so much to play for beyond the 'mere' result this afternoon. But make no mistake, the result is the be all and end all to putting the cap on this fulfilling Irish rugby season.

And please may we be spared the hype of heaping more pressure on the relatively young shoulders of Jonathan Sexton in advocating him for future captaincy.

He has enough on his plate, as O'Gara will be reminding him again, without this pressure at a still premature stage in his burgeoning career. In a sense, current Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll did him few favours with his throwaway line in the post-match interview last week about half-time speakers.

Sexton's focus is on copper-fastening his hold on the Ireland No 10 jersey and that's what he will do in ensuring a steady Leinster course by deeds not words today. It is his way and I doubt he will deviate one iota.

As to the outcome? Both teams will turn up with equal mindsets. If each delivers to form, then Leinster's greater creativity could see them home.

It should be something special. Bring it on.

- Tony Ward

Irish Independent

Joe Schmidt's Leinster side went about securing the bonus point in a roundabout way, with Fergus McFadden and Ian Madigan crossing in the closing stages after early efforts from Shane Jennings and Isa Nacewa had them 14-0 ahead.

Cardiff rallied impressively in the third quarter, grabbing tries through Bradley Davies and Richie Rees, and a penalty from Dan Parks edged the Welsh region in front at 23-20.

But McFadden's try helped Leinster reassume control and it was fitting that young out-half Madigan scurried over for the clinching score.

Jonathan Sexton missed out on his first appearance of the season for Leinster when injuring himself in the warm-up, so Academy player Madigan stepped in at number 10 for only his second start for the province.

Cardiff travelled on the back of an encouraging bonus point victory over Edinburgh last weekend, and gave competitive debuts to prop Tom Davies and Kiwi flanker Michael Paterson.

The game was only four minutes' old when Isaac Boss managed to spring through a gap between Deiniol Jones and Bradley Davies, and feed the supporting Jennings for the opening try which man-of-the-match Nacewa converted.

Cardiff encountered scrum problems through the first half, so much so that newcomer Davies had to be replaced on the stroke of half-time.

They fell further behind when slick hands from Richardt Strauss and Luke Fitzgerald gave Nacewa enough space to skip by Chris Czekaj for a try he converted himself.

Parks knocked over two successive penalties to close the gap, with Casey Laulala beginning to cause problems for the Leinster defence. But the hosts tightened their grip on proceedings, moving 20-6 clear for the break courtesy of a penalty brace from Nacewa.

The same player put in a try-saving tackle on Richard Mustoe as Cardiff began the second half with intent.

Scrum half Rees had sparked a superb counter attack out of the 22, and the Blues' new-found adventure was soon rewarded. Parks punted a penalty to touch, and lock Davies muscled his way over off the next phase.

Parks added the extras and after Leinster failed to convert a couple of promising attacking situations, the Blues squared the game at 20-20 thanks to a terrific team try.

Laulala's long pass set up an overlap on the right and a couple of well-timed deliveries from Davies and Mustoe sent Xavier Rush charging into the 22. The Cardiff skipper's brilliant offload out of the tackle then put Rees in behind the posts and Parks comfortably converted.

The Scotland international tagged on a penalty for good measure and suddenly Leinster were behind. But Schmidt's men were up for the challenge and they bounced back to deservedly take the spoils.

Replacement prop Cian Healy drew two defenders on a barge through the middle to tee up McFadden for a sprint in under the posts.

Nacewa converted and in the final minute, took his personal tally to 19 points as he topped off Madigan's fine snipe from outside the 22 which took the losing bonus point away from the Blues.

Nacewa said afterwards: "We're delighted to get the win. Obviously it was a bit disappointing to let them back in during the second half, but thankfully we held on and it was an important step forward for us."

Reflecting on his first victory as Leinster coach, Schmidt commented: "We created a few chances in the second half, but every time they attacked they seemed to have numbers out wide.

"If we take our opportunities it will take the pressure off us. I'm really pleased to get the win and I felt that the guys coming off the bench gave us that little bit extra.

"It was difficult for Ian Madigan to come on and play so late into the build-up but I thought he did well and credit to him for stepping into the breach. If you had offered me a bonus point before the game, I would have scrambled over hot coals (for it)!

"The bonus point was a bit fortuitous at the end but I'm delighted to be on the blue side of a win, for the first time. I thought that we showed nous and a lot of character out there and it was overall a really good effort."

Stalwart Shane Horgan has pleaded for patience under the Joe Schmidt regime as Leinster prepare for their first Magners League home match against Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

"We are still in the very early days of him putting forward his game plan. He is releasing information to us in piecemeal fashion because it takes time to get the details right," said Horgan.

"We will evolve over the course of the season. It will take a certain amount of game time. We have under-performed so far. That has been as a result of player performance, players not making the right decisions."

There were tentative signs of the Schmidt revolution last week as the plan to find the outside three backs in space opened corridors down the tramlines. It just didn't last long enough to guarantee the spoils.

"If we could control the game the way we did in the first-half (against Glasgow), there was no reason why we couldn't do the same in the second-half," said Horgan.

For certain, Leinster cannot afford to release their grip on the Cardiff Blues or they will be torn from limb to limb by the much-touted dark horses, who have been injected with belief from their European Challenge Cup final win over Toulon last May.

Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young made his intentions clear before the first round of matches, backing Welsh confidence to tackle and take out the Irish provinces, especially Leinster and Munster, in the Magners League.

The Blues players followed their coach's tough words with actions in the Dan Parks-inspired bonus-point 34-23 defeat of Edinburgh last Saturday.

"They tried to play the ball off the ground as much as possible. They offloaded whenever possible. When they really got to grips with it, they deprived Edinburgh of the ball," said Horgan.

"I would suggest that is what they will try to do when they come to The RDS on Saturday and we will be trying to do something similar ourselves."

It all points towards a blockbusting all-out attacking game in line with the Tri-Nations template of ambitious, attractive rugby, driven by clean, uncluttered, almost uncontested rucks.

DEAD

"The way the ruck has developed now, if you are not in on the ball immediately, the ruck is as good as dead. The tendency is not to commit numbers there. The defences span out," Horgan stated.

Of course, the International Rugby Board has been forced to alter the landscape of the breakdown by the southern hemisphere countries in order to lift the level of entertainment by encouraging tries.

"If players try to slow up the ball with hands in or lying on, they are going to be blown off the pitch. That is coming through strongly from the IRB," added Horgan.

"On the other hand, the ruck ball is fast, which is always to the advantage of the attack. It is almost like a new game this year.

"The changes will make for a more spectacular game, a lot of phases, a lot of attacking rugby."

Bring it on!

- Des Berry

When Dominic Ryan and Isaac Boss pounced for first half tries, it looked like Leinster, whose scrum had been proving dominant, would go on to claim their first win at Firhill Stadium in over four years.

But the province's stranglehold on the match was loosened in the third quarter as gutsy Glasgow began to make in-roads.

Missing eight of their frontline players and trailing 16-6 at half-time, the Warriors closed the gap to seven points while Leinster replacement John Fogarty was in the sin-bin.

They were back on terms when Canadian international DTH van der Merwe got a try his industry deserved. The 19-year-old Weir, only minutes on the pitch, added the levelling conversion with great aplomb.

As errors and indiscipline left Leinster struggling for possession, Glasgow engineered a drop goal chance for Weir and he took it, moving the hosts 19-16 ahead.

Number 10 Isa Nacewa looked to have secured a share of the spoils for Leinster when he smacked over a terrific penalty from the left.

But with time running out, a costly penalty at a lineout saw Weir boot the Warriors clear again. Nacewa drew a last-minute drop goal attempt wide of the posts, leaving Sean Lineen's side to celebrate at the final whistle.

A couple of key elements from last season's Glasgow team were missing for this league opener, with top points scorer Dan Parks having made the move to the Cardiff Blues and the 'Killer Bs' back row broken up by Kelly Brown's switch to Saracens and injuries to John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie.

Ruaridh Jackson was joined at half-back by tournament newcomer Henry Pyrgos, and Ryan Wilson, Calum Forrester and Richie Vernon combined in a new-look back row. Argentinian full-back Bernardo Stortoni took on the captaincy role, in the absence of Alastair Kellock and Chris Cusiter.

For New Zealander Joe Schmidt's first competitive game in charge, Leinster were captained by young flanker Sean O'Brien who is back fully fit after breaking his leg in March. Full-back Luke Fitzgerald also returned from a long lay-off, his last competitive game being Ireland's Test against Australia last November.

New signings Isaac Boss, Heinke van der Merwe and Ed O'Donoghue made their senior bows for the province, while prop Simon Shawe took the step-up from All-Ireland League level.

Nacewa and Fitzgerald had early runs before Glasgow were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck, allowing centre Fergus McFadden to kick Leinster into a third minute lead.

A Thom Evans burst got the Warriors within scoring range off the restart and Jackson punished a Leinster offside with his first points of the match.

The action was error strewn at times and when a Glasgow attacking move broke down, Leinster sensed their first opening. Centre Eoin O'Malley hacked on and was unfortunate to be penalised for a knock on before Shane Horgan edged towards the try-line.

Glasgow recovered from a shaky scrum in their 22 and a tremendous touchfinder from Jackson gave them the territory they needed.

Still, Leinster looked the more creative and when Jamie Heaslip broke from a scrum and offloaded to the supporting Boss, the visitors covered 60 metres in the space of a few seconds. Glasgow conceded a penalty which McFadden converted for 6-3.

Four minutes later, Glasgow skipper Stortoni had to be sharp to clear up as Nacewa went the aerial route, hanging the ball up for young winger Niall Morris to chase. The Warriors lost possession, and from the ensuing scrum, Dominic Ryan had a try ruled out for a forward pass from Heaslip.

A superb penalty from Jackson, from wide out on the right, showed his place-kicking ability, but the remainder of the first half largely went Leinster's way.

Glasgow's set pieces difficulties transferred to the lineout in the 26th minute, and the visitors took full advantage.

Fergus Thomson threw long at a short lineout, Heaslip read it and bounded forward into the Glasgow half before passing to the left for Ryan to gather and impressively beat the cover to the try-line.

McFadden's conversion attempt was off target, and Glasgow, with Pyrgos passing well, managed to build through the phases. A neat incision by van der Merwe, coming off his wing, forced Leinster to scramble back towards their whitewash. However, a subsequent knock on spoilt a great position for Lineen's men.

From a Glasgow scrum, Leinster manufactured their second try. The Scots were again disrupted in the set piece, O'Brien kicked the ball free and Boss chipped forward for Heaslip to chase. Glasgow's rearguard wilted under the pressure, with Evans and Federico Aramburu failing to clear the danger and the advancing Boss stretched out his arm for the touchdown.

The try went unconverted and Glasgow enjoyed a decent spell in the minutes leading up to half-time, helped by strong runs from Graeme Morrison and Richie Gray. A try went a-beginning, nevertheless, when a well-worked short lineout from hooker Thomson was called back for a crooked throw.

It was a gradual turnaround in the second half. It started with a purposeful maul from the Leinster forwards, but the third quarter was bossed by Glasgow - the hard work put in by Calum Forrester, Tom Ryder and Vernon forcing the visitors onto the back foot.

van der Merwe continued to look lively out wide, and there were cracks beginning to appear in Leinster's armoury. Replacement hooker John Fogarty was barely a minute on the pitch when he got involved in a scuffle with Stortoni and was yellow carded for punching.

Jackson missed the resulting penalty. He converted an easier opportunity, from almost in front of the posts in the 55th minute, to close the gap - a powerful surge from number 8 Vernon was the key play in the build-up.

Leinster were losing their discipline at the breakdown, and although Jackson missed a shot from the ten-metre line, the momentum was clearly with the Warriors.

As Lineen dug into his bench, the vocal home crowd really got behind Glasgow and some slick passing paved the way for Weir to send big winger van der Merwe crashing over in the right corner, past the despairing Boss.

Weir, who came on for Jackson, followed up with a fine conversion, and carries from Richie Gray and Vernon helped create the space for the Scotland Under-20 international to clip a drop goal over, suddenly making it 19-16.

Nacewa's penalty in return was a high quality score and for a short while, it seemed that the game was destined to end in a draw.

A lineout infringement offered Weir the chance to kick his side ahead again and he coolly did so, making it three years in-a-row that Glasgow have won their opening league fixture.

Summing up his feelings on the game, new Leinster supremo Schmidt said: "It was certainly a game that got away from us after half-time.

"We're really disappointed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and it was a case of us making errors which enabled them to keep the pressure on (in the second half).

"There were moments in the game when we had chances; a forward pass that was given which denied us a try.

"I was really pleased for Dom (Ryan) and I thought he played very well. I didn't know him before I arrived but he has performed well during pre-season and carried that into tonight.

"The boys are very frustrated in there and they feel as though they let themselves down. It's up to us now to take it on the chin and get ourselves in order for next week."

 

Consistent: Isa Nacewa

Club name Leinster

- 2010/11 Season Preview -

Last season So close yet so far was the story for the Dubliners as a Heineken Cup semi-final exit and defeat in the Magners League final left something of a sour taste in the mouth. It was also Michael Cheika's last term at the helm before his move to Paris so it was a disappointing end to his five-year spell at Leinster - even if they did very well to make Europe's final four after losing to London Irish in Round One. However, it paints a picture of what Cheika brought to the RDS in his stint that they would be unhappy not to lift any silverware. Not a bad season at all for Leinster.

This season Like the other teams in Pool 2, Leinster will find European life very difficult alongside Clermont, Saracens and Racing-Metro. Quite simply this is the 'group of death' as the French champions meet finalists from England and the Magners League and it is very possible that 2010/11's competition winner could come from this Pool. The Dubliners have brought in a decent trio for the new season in Ed O'Donoghue, Isaac Boss and Heinke van der Merwe to replace the retired Mal O'Kelly, Chris Whitaker and now Cheetah CJ van der Linde. A promising year indeed.

Coach: Joe Schmidt coached Bay of Plenty in 2003/2004. While at the Steamers he won the Ranfurly Shield with victory over Auckland and enjoyed one successful title defence before losing to Canterbury. Schmidt joined Auckland Blues in 2004 and stayed there for three years, his final year saw the side knocked out in the semis. He then joined Clermont and finished Top 14 runners-up twice before winning the coveted title in 2010.

Captain: It's another campaign as leader for Leo Cullen in 2010/11 and he has been doing a stand-up job since he made the move from Leicester back in 2007. Cullen was born in Dublin which makes his job extra special to the 32-year-old, who combines well with Brian O'Driscoll.

One to watch: With so many Ireland starters in their back-line, much more responsibility will be laid at the door of Shane Horgan and Isa Nacewa this season. The former was arguably getting back to his best form in the second part of 2009/10 while the versatility of Nacewa will be key.

In: Ed O'Donoghue (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Ulster), Heinke van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Joe Schmidt - Head Coach (Clermont Auvergne).

Out:CJ van der Linde (Cheetahs), Simon Keogh (Released), Chris Keane (Released) Malcolm O'Kelly (Retired), Girvan Dempsey (Retired), Bernard Jackman (Retired), Michael Cheika - Head Coach (Stade Francais), Chris Whittaker - Team Manager (Stade Francais), Alan Gaffney - Backs Coach (IRFU), Kurt McQuilkin - Defence Coach (Retired), Kyle Tonetti (Sale Sharks).

Home ground: Royal Dublin Society - capacity of 18,500

Travel connections: By train you would take the Dublin DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) service also operates from the City Centre to Ballsbridge. By bus take the RDS is serviced by bus routes number 7, 5 and 45, which stop outside the Main Hall Entrance to the stadium on Merrion Road. These bus services can be availed of on Nassau Street outside Trinity College. Outside Trinity College, take Nassau Street (N11) for about 150 metres then turn right following the signposts for the R118. Follow the R118 (also locally known Mount Street; turns into Merrion Road) for around 2km. The RDS Showgrounds will be situated on the right-hand side.