Combined: Leinster v Munster XV
- 2734
Two weeks ago the rugby public was treated as Leinster and Munster went hammer and tong in the first PRO14 game on Irish soil since lockdown.
The thrilling encounter saw edge Munster by just two points as they picked up from where they left off and powered towards the semi-finals trampling Ulster on their way.
The narrow win over Munster was arguably Leinster's toughest win so far this PRO14 season. In fact, Munster is the only team this season to finish within a converted penalty away from victory over Leo Cullen's men.
We take a look at what a potential combined XV of the two sides would look from the two starting XVs selected for the match.
Upfront, it's hard not to pick the all international front row of Leinster. Healy beats Jeremey Loughman with Munster missing Dave Kilcoyne with James Cronin on the bench.
Tadgh Beirne's performance in the clash against Connacht gets him the nod over Devin Toner for the 4 jersey while Scott Fardy beats Billy Holland for the 5 jumper.
The back row was certainly a testing selection with Peter O'Mahony, Jack O'Donoghue and CJ Stander making our final selection. O'Mahony has been in superb form and does enough to beat Leinster youngster Caelon Doris to a spot in the side with not much at all splitting the two.
Jack O'Donoghue was in excellent form for Munster and earned a recall to the Ireland squad for the Six Nations before the season was brought to a halt with Will Connors similarly excellent for Leinster. Again there wasn't much splitting the pair.
While Jack Conan impressed on his return for Leinster, CJ Stander was in incredible form for Ireland and Munster before lockdown and has been just as brilliant after.
Conor Murray has been particularly brilliant since the return of rugby in Ireland with his kicking once again proving to be key for Munster. He joins his Irish halfback partner Jonathan Sexton in the side with Sexton producing a stellar performance for Leinster when they edged Munster two weeks ago.
Out wide, Andrew Conway's run of form sees him beat Hugo Keenan with Keith Earls' form seeing him beat James Lowe to a spot on the left wing with Jordan Larmour taking the 15 jersey over the impressive Munster youngster Shane Daly.
Again, the midfield was incredibly close with Damian de Allende and Garry Ringrose filling up the side. Chris Farrell has been particularly great over the past two weeks while Robbie Henshaw as been solid as ever at inside centre.
Our Combined Leinster v Munster XV
