Combined Munster & Leinster XV Based On Tomorrow’s Squads

Munster take on Leinster tomorrow in the Aviva in an All-Ireland heavyweight clash.

Both sides have started well this season and will be hoping to head into next week’s opening round of the Champions Cup with a win. Rassie Erasmus and Leo Cullen have both named strong sides ahead of the clash, with a couple of surprise inclusions.

Both Peter O’Mahony and Robbie Henshaw are included in the starting line-up after lengthy spells out injured, with the latter making his debut for his new club after a much publicised move from Irish rivals Connacht.

Munster XV for tomorrow:

15.Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Keith Earls
12. Rory Scannell
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Tyler Bleyendaal
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander

Replacements:
16. Duncan Casey
17. James Cronin
18. Stephen Archer
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Jaco Taute

Leinster XV for tomorrow:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Rory O’Loughlin
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Isa Nacewa
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Luke McGrath
1. Cian Healy
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Ian Nagle
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:
16. James Tracy (20)
17. Jack McGrath (98)
18. Mike Ross (139)
19. Ross Molony (27)
20. Dan Leavy (18)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (5)
22. Joey Carbery (5)
23. Noel Reid (64)

Now let’s take a look at what we think a combined XV of both of the squads might look.

15. Rob Kearney
The experienced fullback his return from injury tomorrow. While Zebo has shown glimpses at fullback, he’s still not quite the finished product.

14. Darren Sweetnam
The former GAA player has been in scintillating form this year and may be a surprise inclusion in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad this November.

13. Keith Earls
Ringrose had promise, but Earls has experience. The Limerick man edges out the young starlet this time round but who will come out on top tomorrow is yet to be seen.

12. Robbie Henshaw
The former Connacht man makes his debut tomorrow and while he’s yet to be seen in Leinster blue, a shoe-in a 12.

11. Isa Nacewa
Tough choice here. Perhaps Simon Zebo in his favoured wing-berth would slot in here but it seems he will end up being the long-term solution at fullback for Munster, so Nacewa gets the nod.

10. Johnny Sexton
The Irish 10 has been in great form since his return from injury. Bleyendaal has also been excellent for Munster this season and if he stays fit, may be the outhald Munster have crying out for. It’s Sexton all day for us however.

9. Conor Murray
One of the best scrumhalves in the world right now. Easy choice here.

8. CJ Stander
Stander just seems to be getting better and better. Edges out Jamie Heaslip and may do so once again for Ireland next month.

7. Tommy O’Donnell
Jordi Murphy has been in great form recently, but as we’ve seen in the past- he’s no match for a fit and in-form O’Donnell.

6. Peter O’Mahony
Peter O’Mahony will be raring to go tomorrow after such a lenghty lay-0ff. Hands down will win the battle with Rhys Ruddock.

5. Devin Toner
Toner has turned into a real player for Leinster and Ireland over the past couple of seasons and will be right up there when it comes to Lions selection next year.

4. Donnacha Ryan
At one-time, Donnacha Ryan was set to be Munster’s long-term solution to Paul O’Connell. Has been hugely unlucky with injury in recent seasons and will be hoping to get a string of games going. When fit and on-form, one of Ireland’s very best locks.

3. John Ryan
Ryan’s form this season sees him get the nod over Furlong and Ross. Another man who coulc very well be called up to the Irealand squad next month.

2. Sean Cronin
Niall Scannell has been getting better and better but the experience Cronin offer so much, it’s hard to leave him out.

1. Jack McGrath
Starts on the bench tomorrow but is hands down one of the best loosehead’s in the world right now.