Leinster v Munster predictions and rugby union tips: No runaway win for hosts

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Leinster v Munster in the United Rugby Championship.

Where to watch

Premier Sports 2 & RTE2, 5.15pm Saturday

Best bet

Leinster to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 5-2 bet365

Match preview

Munster made a shaky start to the United Rugby Championship season under coach Graham Rowntree, but the ex-England prop may be feeling more positive after his side put in a battling show to beat the Bulls last weekend.

It would still be a huge shock if they were to see off rivals Leinster, whose only defeat in the last nine meetings between the provinces came in the 2021 Rainbow Cup.

Injuries have made Munster's task even harder with forwards Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Beirne being ruled out, and they are given a handicap start of up to 18 points.

To pass that mark Leinster would need to pull off the biggest win they have managed in the pair's past 31 meetings, going back to a record 30-0 success in the 2009-10 season.

Leinster have plenty of international calibre in their ranks as Johnny Sexton returns at fly-half but it may not be a runaway victory. The last seven Leinster victories have been by ten points or fewer, and although they hold enough aces to pass that mark, it may not be by much.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport