Munster v Leinster predictions and rugby union tips: Visitors to shade honours

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

Where to watch

RTE2, 7pm Saturday

Best bet

Leinster to win by one to 12 points
1pt 13-10 bet365

Match preview

Munster and Leinster fans have had to wait until April for the inter-pro rivals to finally meet in this season’s United Rugby Championship, and the timing of the clash suggests we could be in for a heavyweight contest.

Ireland have put a strong Six Nations campaign behind them and there are plenty of internationals on show at Thomond Park as both sides gear up for the European knockout stages.

Leinster are again blazing a trail in the domestic competition and lead the way with ten wins from 13 matches compared to Munster’s eight.

They also hold the upper hand in league clashes between the two, winning ten of the last 11 head-to-heads including three semi-finals and last season’s final.

Munster came away ­victorious in the Rainbow Cup fixture last season but when it counts Leinster have almost always had the upper hand, although there has rarely been much in it.

Just one of those ten wins for Leinster has been by more than ten points and given the quality in both sets of ranks and the fact that both teams are preparing for physical showdowns in Europe, this looks set to be another tight contest.

Leinster, even without fly-half Jonny Sexton, look the pick by a margin of no more than 12 points.

Elsewhere, Connacht are 8-11 shots to overcome Benetton in Italy (midday), while Ulster face a tough workout against the Bulls in Pretoria where they are given a four-point start (1pm).

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