So, what have we learned?
Leinster are going to be just fine. They will get a home Guinness PRO12 semi-final and make it into the Champions Cup knock-out stages. After that, injuries may dictate silverware hopes.
Munster are in a hole but they have a lot of the right men needed to get them out. Don’t expect them to be competing for pots in May, however.
Leo Cullen got the better of Rassie Erasmus and left Munster fans with lots to gnaw on during the trip home. It’ll be a short one for many – half the province seem to be gainfully employed up these parts.
The men to watch today were the returning Munster captain Peter O’Mahony and Leinster’s new midfield partnership of Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw. O’Mahony got 40 minutes and looked decent. The Leinster pair were on until the death.
Ringrose provided the attacking spark and Henshaw was confident enough to pop a couple of offloads but both defended like tigers. Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll will both have been watching, and approving.
25-14 to Leinster and massive European tests await.
Ringrose gave us his first glimpse of those pinned back ears when he spots a gap. He blazed away from Darren Sweetnam and Conor Murray for a move that almost led to an Isa Nacewa try. The pair then combined in the tackle to win a turnover in their 22. Moments later, they were teaming up to lay a brace of hits on Keith Earls.
The only time Henshaw took a backward step was when Rory Scannell met him chest on and three Munster teammates steam-trained in behind him.
That bust into the Leinster 22 seemed to boost Munster and their tails were definitely up when CJ Stander caught a lineout, transferred to O’Mahony and the rolling maul blew the home side’s defence away.
Ringrose was prominent in attack as Leinster hit back before half-time. He should have touched down a Johnny Sexton grubber but shelled the ball. Undeterred, he showed up strong in the next attack and Leinster were soon over after a strong scrum caught Munster short on the blind-side. Nacewa with the try.
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Munster were the side doing all the pressing for the opening stanza of the second half. Leinster backed their defensive structures and repelled all that was slung their way.
Henshaw was still making big contributions in defence but it took Ringrose to suck Munster in with a slaloming line break before Leinster got in again. He was hauled down on the right wing but Leinster were aware of the soare bodies on the left. Rob Kearney’s pass to Nacewa appeared borderline legal but the try was given.
Ringrose still had time to leave Jaco Taute in his wake and Munster couldn’t hold onto a bouncing ball despite three woeful attempts. Henshaw nearly had his first try but Jamison Gibson-Park was there to dot down with everyone else flailing.
Taute got a consolation try but Munster had too much to do and never threatened again. They head home with 0 points and lots to work on before taking on the likes of Racing 92, Leicester and Glasgow in Europe.
Leinster are not swaggering yet but they’re not far off.
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