OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB GUIDE TO LEINSTER v MUNSTER Saturday 22nd August 2020 OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB LEINSTER v MUNSTER IT’S BACK They say a week is a long time in anything, but when it’s been close to 24.85 weeks (174 days*) since you last pulled on your game day jersey and ran out onto the field to face the opposition, well that in itself can feel like a lifetime. Friday 28th February in the RDS was the last time we togged out in the 2019/20 Guinness Pro14 and that Round 13 fixture saw us emerge victorious over the visitors for the evening – Glasgow Warriors. MOTM Ryan Baird and Dave Kearney both bagged themselves hat-tricks in a 55-19 demolition which left us top of the table on 13/13 with 61points to boot. It was then to be a break for 6 Nations action where we were no doubt giddy about the upcoming visit of the Italians to Dublin as this is always a lively occasion, and this year would’ve been no different. GETTING TO DUBLIN AIRPORT 13/13 in the Pro14 coupled with 6/6 (to date) in the Heineken Champions Cup and even the most pessimistic of fans would’ve been doing well to not see Leinster aiming for a 2nd clean sweep in competitions. Cue though the arrival of Covid-19 and with a shrill blast of the whistle brought an end to the fixtures, for what we all thought would be for only a short period of time. Roll forward to Saturday 22nd August and we’re getting ready for Round 14 of a much shortened season with just 2 rounds followed by a Semi & then Final to close off what has been the strangest of years to date. Writing about a rugby game in August isn’t anything new to go by as August 2019 saw us play both Coventry and Canada in pre-season friendlies. What is completely different here is that this August is the continuation of what was started last August and in fact started with that game against Coventry in Energia Park on Saturday 17th!! Lock-down for all of us was difficult to adjust to, and for the players, coaching & backroom staff as well as all of those involved in Leinster Rugby it was no different. We saw homemade make-shift gyms, dodgy golf shots and even dodgier haircuts, as well as Tadgh Furlong taking on a recent, albeit brief cameo as a TV travel presenter in his native Wexford. The squad though have come through and as we can see from social media are rearing and ready to for when Round 14 kicks off at 19:35 on Saturday in the Aviva Stadium. (*On a side note the Pan American Highway is about 30,000km long and it’s said can be driven in 3months depending on the number of hours per day you drive. Scary to think you could’ve almost driven from Prudhoe Bay (Alaska) to Ushuaia (Argentina) and back….since the last fixture!!). OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB LEINSTER v MUNSTER GUIDE “WELL IT’S BACK, BUT I’M NOT”.... WHAT CAN FANS DO We have all seen the impact Covid-19 has had on society, both at home and abroad and can appreciate that something like the resumption of the season, while a bright light for some, is not what we would really like which is to be there in our blue alongside the squad as they run out for this first fixture of the resumed season. Our focus for the remainder of the season is therefore to channel our positive vibes and energy as we not so silently roar on the Boys in Blue from the comfort of in front of the TV. Leinster Rugby’s Innovation Partner, BearingPoint are asking fans to #Lineout4Leinster for the remaining fixtures so where possible, let’s get our voices heard on social media. The Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) are also asking fans to email us in your photographs on match days wearing your blue and we’ll post them to our social media channels. We know the majority of the squad are followers of our pages and we know what a lift they will get seeing all the fans behind them. CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR PHOTO Our email address is [email protected] #Lineout4Leinster OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB LEINSTER v MUNSTER MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE The current OLSC Committee will remain in place until the 2019/20 season concludes and we continue in our role of representing you the fans. Following the conclusion of the season, details for the AGM will be circulated. We ask that you continue to monitor and adhere to social distancing guidelines and to look after yourselves as well as your loved ones in these unprecedented times. For now though and it’s great to say this again…. Come on you Boys in Blue!! Yours in Rugby, OLSC Committee 2019/20 SEASON TICKET HOLDER DISCOUNTS A reminder that all Season Ticket Holders are automatically members of the Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) and that there are still a number of number of discounts available to members. The full list is available to view, and download on leinsterrugby.ie/supporters/offers/ so why not have a look and see if anything catches your eye. If you decide to avail of something from one of our suppliers, whether it be when deciding where to watch, or what to eat, for one of the upcoming games, we know they would appreciate your support during these unprecedented times. (A reminder again to please stay safe, and to adhere to all social distancing guidelines and Government recommendations if you are out and about) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO #Lineout4Leinster OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB LEINSTER v MUNSTER GUIDE LEINSTER V MUNSTER (A HISTORY) Leinster v Munster is, according to some commentators, one of the biggest provincial rivalries in the world as it dates its way back all the way to 1879 (the year of the founding of the sides). Since the beginning of the inter-provincial championship in 1946, Leinster hold a 52-43 advantage in wins with 5 draws. Additionally since the inception of the Celtic League in the 2001-02 season, Leinster hold a 25-16 advantage in wins, with just the 1 draw in that time. The last time these two sides met was Saturday 28th December 2019 where Leinster took the spoils 13-6 down in Thomond Park, while during the 2018/19 season the sides met a total of 3 times with Leinster taking the spoils 2-1, including the all-important 24-9 victory in the Guinness Pro14 Semi-Final. Some interesting statistics to note going into this widely anticipated game for those of you who revel in having this knowledge as a conversation starter; LEINSTER (AVE. PER GAME) MUNSTER 37 POINTS 27 5 TRIES 3 14 POINTS CONC. 17 10 CLEAN BREAKS 8 6 OFfLOADS 6 88% TACKLE SUCcESs 88% 95% SCRUM SUCcESs 94% 87% LINEOUT SUCcESs 90% 3 TURNOVER WON 5 11 TURNOVERS LOST 12 OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB LEINSTER v MUNSTER GUIDE ATTACK LEINSTER (AVE. PER GAME) MUNSTER Ross Byrne (69) LEADING POINTS SCORER JJ Hanrahan (101) Dave Kearney (9) LEADING TRY SCORER Shane Daly (4) Max Deegan (52) SUCcESsFUL CARrIES Fineen Wycherley (35) James Lowe (12) CLEAN BREAKS Shane Daly (14) Hugo Keenan (30) DEFENDERS BEATEN Mike Haley (26) James Lowe (504) METRES GAINED Mike Haley (605) James Lowe (10) OFfLOADS Mike Haley (10) DEFENSE LEINSTER (AVE. PER GAME) MUNSTER Will Connors (149) NUMBER OF TACKLES Fineen Wycherley (105) Robbie Henshaw (100) TACKLE SUCcESs (%) Neil Cronin (100) Caelan Doris (6) TURNOVERS WON Chris Cloete (8) #Lineout4Leinster OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB LEINSTER v MUNSTER GLOBAL BROADCAST INFORMATION The Aviva Stadium in Dublin is the venue for our first game of the resumed 2019/20 Guinness Pro14 campaign. This calendar year has been some journey to date however we’re delighted to be back for Round 14 for what is the biggest rivalry in Irish rugby (Saturday, KO 7.35pm) The Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) has compiled the following broadcast information for those of you unable to make the game; Ireland: LIVE on eir Sport 1 from 7.35pm with deferred coverage on TG4 from 9.35pm UK: LIVE on Premier Sports 1 from 7.35pm Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada & Italy: LIVE on DAZN from 7.35pm USA: LIVE or On Demand on ESPN+ New Zealand: Coverage on Sky Sports (please check your local area for coverage time) Asia & Australia: LIVE on Rugby Pass TV (please check your local area for coverage times) RTE Radio 1: LIVE Radio commentary from 6pm as part of Saturday Sport Twitter: @leinsterrugby – a Twitter account is not required to view updates Leinster Rugby App: Supporters can follow the game with live score updates, live text commentary and stats in the Leinster Rugby App #Lineout4Leinster.