Munster vs Leinster Prediction: Dubliners to do the business in Limerick

Leinster were fortunate to come through their derby with Connacht 20-12 and will expect a further test when they head to Munster on Friday evening.

Read on for my Munster vs Leinster prediction as well as the latest team news and match odds.

The visitors have won all 10 of their matches this season, while Munster most recently ran out 22-19 victors at Ulster.

Previously among the most fearsome home grounds in Europe, Munster are still strong at Thomond Park, but Glasgow raided their fortress in last season's United Rugby Championship semi-finals, their only home defeat to date in 2024.

Leinster were the previous URC side to win at the ground in December 2023 and with an incredibly formidable matchday 23, they are strong enough to strike again.

Team News

Munster have made seven changes to the side that beat Ulster. Tadhg Beirne returns to captain them from the second row, with Rory Scannell, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Oli Jager and Alex Kendellen also coming in.

Leinster also have a change of skipper, with Beirne's Ireland teammate Caelan Doris due to lead them from number eight, while Jamie Osborne is fit to start at full-back.

Flanker Josh van der Flier makes his 150th appearance for the team but there is no place for All Blacks centre Jordie Barrett or former Munster lock RG Snyman.

United Rugby Championship Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main United Rugby Championship page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match

Match Odds

Munster are 18/5 to get one over their great rivals, with the tie 25/1 and Leinster 1/5 to grab an 11th victory in a row.

The Handicap 3-Way is set at eight points, with Munster +8 available at 11/8.

Leinster -11 @ 20/21

Leinster rotated heavily for their win over Connacht. Even though that match was played at the Aviva Stadium, this one always looked likely to be the highlight of their Christmas campaign and that is evident in Leo Cullen's selection.

Their rivalry with Munster is fabled, pitting the big city boys with their country neighbours.

Munster are a proud province and will put up a fight but there is a reason why there is disquiet around the Irish game about Leinster's ability to recruit from both the best schools and pay players more due to several of their stars also being contracted to the IRFU.

The country's coordinated approach is the envy of other national team setups but sparks frustration among the provinces, who, as Connacht showed, usually raise their game but fall short.

There are sub-plots across the field, but it is a shame not to see Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast going head-to-head with an eye on who will wear the number 10 shirt for Ireland in the Six Nations.

Burns is not quite in Crowley's class and while an experienced operator, he is not an opponent that Prendergast will be overly worried about facing as he continues to build his reputation.

A proud Munster side will be as determined as ever, but Leinster look too good and can record win number 11 for the campaign with something to spare.

Click the link for all the latest Rugby Union Odds

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights