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

Tommy Bowe has been carrying a knee injury which was reviewed by both the Ospreys and Ireland medical teams and respective specialist consultants.

It was concluded that Bowe would not be fit to play against Italy in next week's Six Nations opener. The Ireland medical team will continue to liaise with the Ospreys to determine when he will be fit to return to play.

Meanwhile, number 8 Jamie Heaslip also had his ankle injury reviewed by a specialist today. it has been confirmed the he will not be available for selection for the game at Stadio Flaminio.

Heaslip will continue his rehabilitation and, at this point, has not been ruled out of contention for Ireland's second Championship outing against France on Sunday, February 13.

Ireland will carry a considerable injury list in the Championship, which includes the likes of Andrew Trimble (hand), Rob Kearney (knee), Geordan Murphy (ankle), John Hayes (groin), Jerry Flannery (calf) and Shane Horgan (knee)

Speaking at today's RBS 6 Nations launch in London, Ireland head coach Declan Kidney said: "You never like to see guys injured - we know how much playing for Ireland means to those guys.

"We've tried to build a squad over the last few years and this will be the test of that. I have a huge belief in the way Irish rugby comes from the grassroots up.

"Of course there won't be as much video analysis on the new guys, so that will be an advantage."

Defence coach Les Kiss admitted: "It may not look good at moment, but we've ambitions to do well in this tournament, and we think we can.

"We've been building a panel for a while and the exposure a lot of those guys have got at Heineken Cup level in recent times is going to serve us well.

"There are a few more injuries than we would have liked, but now it's an opportunity for other guys to stand up. We're not going to put this Six Nations away and build for the World Cup, we want to get a job done here."

The 37-year-old Hayes has 102 caps to his name but has been left out of Saturday's match 22 on the strength of selection for the first time since he made his Test debut over a decade ago.

Hayes' Munster colleague Tony Buckley has been preferred as starting tighthead prop with Tom Court's versatility winning the Ulsterman a spot on the bench.

But Kidney has reassured Hayes that he still has a part to play as Ireland look to prepare for next year's World Cup.

"Not at all is this the end for John, definitely not," said Kidney.

"It hasn't been easy to leave guys out but that's my job. Guys will still have a role to play in the next 12 months.

"Tom Court has been playing 80 minutes recently and the advantage for him is that he's the one prop who has had time on both sides of the scrum.

"In a 22-man squad you have to look at that tactically.

"Tony took his break during the summer tour very well and he's backed that up with a few good performances since.

"John was unfortunate because he fell ill at the start of the tour and didn't get his energy back, so didn't get a go at it."

Saturday, game day. Thank god, it's finally arrived. These last few days are among the longest few days I have ever had to endure but thankfully the time has come. We are greeted at breakfast with some mixed news - Brian (O'Driscoll) is fit to play but unfortunately John 'the Bull' Hayes is out due to a virus he was unable to shake off.

Matchdays and particularly the morning of, are among the hardest times we endure as professional sports people.

The boredom is something cruel (I can hear you think, 'what simple troubles we have?' and you'd be right). They're filled with box sets, gossip, movies, walks, coffee, eating, drinking and even more coffee!

The build-up usually starts with a final review meeting...a recap on the referee, weather conditions and a last look at tactics. Then we go for a walk. We usually play a little game, backs v forwards of course! Let's just leave it at that!

Then the forwards walk through lineouts, as the backs do what backs do best...nothing! They chat, gossip, fix each other's hair and whatever else they get up to! After more eating and final preparation, we meet for a final talk with Deccie (Kidney). Then it's iPods at the ready as we head to ground.

After this each player will get into his own personal routine. Walking on the pitch, strapping, stretching, eating (props again) etc, etc. I find this personally a very enjoyable time as the anticipation and nerves start to kick in, even though most players find this the hardest part as they are generally eager to get on with it at this stage.

We were met with a loud roar as we ran onto the pitch for the warm-up and I was surprised at the number of Irish present.

The warm-up was quick and snappy and before I noticed we were back in dressing room again. I was lucky enough to earn my first two cap on last summer's tour to Canada and the USA and without sounding disrespectful - as it's something I will treasure for the rest of my life - in my eyes this, to me, felt like my first cap!

When I reached for my jersey with 'New Zealand 12/06/10' embroidered on it, I got an instant rush of adrenline, I couldn't wait to get going. I must admit I really enjoyed facing the Haka and it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

After that there isn't too much of the match worth talking about! We had a horrendous start, Rob Kearney letting the ball slip out of his grasp, Jamie (Heaslip) getting sent off, Ronan (O'Gara) getting sin-binned and then when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I break my forearm.

I don't remember too much (about the incident), just that I went to smash one of their lads and he ducked into it and I caught him flush on the head. I knew instantly that I had broken my forearm and my tour was over.

Unfortunately, we conceded in next few phases and as Doc (Eanna Falvey) came over to me, I told him my arm was broken. He squeezed my arm and ask me to twist my wrist, the shooting pains came instantly and he diagnosed it immediately.

As I walked off the pitch, I knew my tour was over and the I'd be out for a few months. This is by far the hardest thing to deal with as a pro athlete (don't mind what i said earlier - I'd do boredom a million times over to have an intact radius!).

Injury is part and parcel of sport but it is a hugely frustrating time. It's kind of ironic that injury helped to get me this chance and now robbed it from me too! As I waited in the ambulance, I managed to ring home to inform them I was alright and I'd see them sooner than expected!

I was moved to New Plymouth Hospital and had my X-rays. They informed me that I would require an operation and that they had sorted Bruce Twaddle, one of the top surgeons in country, to do it in Auckland on Monday.

He works with the New Zealand squad and manages all their breaks so I knew I was in good hands. I would sincerely like to thank all the staff in both hospitals who looked after me so well and especially the A&E nurses who picked me up when I was absolutelyy gutted on arrival and also the night nurses in New Plymouth who kept a constant flow of morphine to me when I was in pain (I ain't as tough as you think!).

This will be my last diary entry as I'll be leaving New Zealand in the coming days and heading home. It reminds me a lot of the video 'Living with the Lions' back in 1997, on their succesful tour of South Africia, when Doddy Weir took a cruel blow to the knee that ended his tour and he had to go home early (coincidently, I had just taken up rugby and got this as a present and it got me rugby mad!). I know now how he felt that day he realised his tour was over.

But I'm on the road to recovery and I'm looking forward to my couple of weeks off on holidays. I've had a great experience, some ups and some downs.

As I said, injury is part and parcel of sport, but I managed to get a man-of-the-match award against the Barbarians, got to travel to New Zealand and Australia (well, New Zealand anyway!), wore an eye patch for two days (forgot that in earlier diary piece - from a scrape on my cornea from the Baabaas game), got picked to play against the All Blacks, faced the Haka, might have got stitches in my head and broke my arm but the most importantly thing is I've had a great experience and I didn't get any complaints from my role in running the cinema club!

John Muldoon's diary is reproduced with kind permission from Connacht Rugby.

Brian O'Driscoll remained in the team hotel in New Plymouth as the remainder of the Ireland squad took part in the Captain's Run session at Yarrow Stadium on Friday, the venue for their clash with the All Blacks.

O'Driscoll has experienced vertigo before, most notably in the aftermath of last year's Grand Slam-clinching win over Wales, and reckons that he will be fully fit to lead Ireland this weekend.

"I'll be grand in another 24 hours. I just get a bit of vertigo now and then. I haven't had it for a while," he said.

"The last real memory of having it was the night we won the Grand Slam and I couldn't go to the dinner. It just came on and I was getting sick that time.

"I just felt a little bit dizzy last night and went to bed and felt a bit better this morning. I took a little bit more medication and I'm grand."

O'Driscoll's centre partner Gordon D'Arcy also missed the Captain's Run but, as Ireland coach Declan Kidney explained, it is not an unusual occurrence for players to sit out the final session of the week.

"Our Captain's Run is just a way of getting the body up. You don't want to be hanging around the hotel for 48 hours before a match," explained Kidney.

"We ask guys how they are feeling and if it's prudent for them to run out they do that. Friday is just a case of keeping the body ticking over for Saturday."

A Test win over New Zealand is missing from Irish rugby's CV and O'Driscoll would dearly love to be the man to captain Ireland to that maiden victory over the All Blacks.

Asked what Ireland need to do in order to achieve that, he said: "You've got to play one of your better games in an Irish jersey collectively, not just seven or eight of us. Everyone has to combine for a really good performance.

"In the past we've put in good performances for 50 or 60 minutes and not been able to complete the full 80. That's the big test.

"Anytime we've been in with a shout we've taken the foot off or New Zealand have put extra pressure on us in the last 20 and they've come good."

The winning and losing of Saturday's game will probably be in the forwards where New Zealand forwards coach Steve Hansen feels the home side will have the advantage, despite their relative inexperience at this level.

The All Blacks' starting pack includes debutant prop Ben Franks and his brother and fellow prop Owen, who has nine caps to his name, and there are two more new forwards on the replacements bench in Sam Whitelock and Victor Vito.

O'Driscoll has plenty of faith in Ireland's selected eight, adding: "You have to get at least parity in the forwards if not try and get the better of the pack which is where games are won and lost. It's a rare game that your forwards get dominated and you manage to win.

"We'll look to go after New Zealand, as I am sure they will us, up front and we will look to get sufficient ball to provide some very exciting outside backs with some scoring opportunities.

"New Zealand are obviously hugely confident in the team they've selected. We'll just quietly sit in the background and hope that the experience we have in the likes of (John) Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll's coming in not having played for a couple of years but we know what he's capable of.

"They can at least match, if not get the better of the New Zealand front five."