Ireland international opens up on ‘mutual hate’ between Leinster and Munster
Leinster Rugby's James Lowe celebrates their side’s victory in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final match at Croke Park, Dublin.
Ireland international James Lowe has detailed there is a “mutual hate” between Leinster and Munster ahead of the clash at Croke Park this weekend.
Both teams have made a solid start to the United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign, with Leinster winning their first three games and Munster coming out on top in two.
James Lowe details ‘mutual hate’ between Leinster and Munster
Leinster v Munster is Irish rugby’s biggest derby, with the sides often competing for silverware; and this isn’t lost on Lowe, who is parking his ties to his Ireland teammates for a week.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Lowe said: “There’s a mutual hate of each other. You say it in the most respectful way; and there’s some great players in that Munster side.
“To watch the growth of Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash; they’re all boys we’re friendly with in Irish camp. But I can tell you on Saturday that goes out the window. I’m still going to want to run over them, and I’m sure they’re saying the same thing.”
Lowe himself has experienced the highs and lows of this historic clash. The winger was sent-off in the 2018 edition at Thomond Park following a clash with Andrew Conway in the air, but has also scored a sensational effort in the reverse fixture in Dublin.
Another new dynamic to the rivalry is Springbok lock RG Snyman, who crossed the divide this summer as he joined Leinster after an injury-stricken spell at Munster.
The towering South African made his URC debut for Leinster in their win over Benetton last weekend, as is expected to feature in the starting line-up against his former side on Saturday.
Croke Park heading for sell-out crowd
With the RDS Arena currently unavailable, the game will take place at the historic Croke Park, where the sides met in the infamous 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final.
The previous meeting between the teams at the home of GAA saw a whopping 82,000 crowd pack the stadium, and reports from Ireland suggest this latest meeting is well on course to match that.
Ticket sales for this weekend’s game have already surpassed the 75,000 mark, and it is largely expected to sell-out ahead of the meeting on Saturday.
Leinster also played at Croke Park in their Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton, where a whopping 82,300 fans watched them reach a third-successive final.
