LEINSTER v MUNSTER, AVIVA STADIUM, TODAY 7.35PM LIFT-OFF THE PETE IS ON

Put on a show for their absent fans

LEO CULLEN has urged Leinster to hit the ground running at Aviva Stadium. Facing a Munster side boasting World Cup winners Damian de Allende and RG Snyman for the first time, the Blues have the cushion of a PRO14 semi already bagged. Munster do not and are acutely aware of the importance of recording a first this season for any of Leinster’s opponents – a victory.

But for Cullen there can be no thoughts of a safety net as Irish rugby returns after six months off with this massive occasion – albeit in an empty stadium. “The supporters in many ways make it what it is so I’m curious to see myself what it’s like without them in the ground,” he said. “It’s going to be a huge mental challenge for players because it’s going to be very different running around in an empty stadium and lots of the little distractions around going to the stadium.

“We’re just desperate to get back at this stage. A huge amount of work has gone into getting here so let’s get it on, let’s see what it looks like.”

Cullen, 42, casts his mind back two years ago to a 42-17 pre-season hammering at the hands of Newcastle Falcons as evidence of what can go wrong if his Johnny Sexton-skippered team are rusty.

“It’s a slightly dangerous mindset to slip into,” he said, with the semi secured.

“But due to all the positive work that went on before we broke, it’s allowed to be able to make some decisions that maybe are a little experimental.

“You can think you’re going along really well but then you play a pre-season game and get beaten and have a chance to rectify some of those things.

“We played Newcastle in preseason and we thought we were motoring along OK and got walloped. It was a realisation that we weren’t actually at the level that we needed to be at.

“At least we’re not reliant on the results unlike other teams but we still want to get our performance right because we know we’re into knockout games pretty quickly.”

James Ryan remains sidelined so Ryan Baird, 21, is facing Munster for the first time and having to deal with giant Springbok Snyman at the lineout.

Jack Conan returns after injuring his ankle at the World Cup 10 months ago.

ONLY WAY IS UP Stuart Mccloskey is excited by the potential that the current Ulster squad possess SO DIFFERENT Leinster win 13-6 in December at Thomond Park in front of full house PETER O’MAHONY says the onus now is on Munster’s well-documented new signings to step up to the mark. South African duo Damian de Allende and RG Snyman are in the Reds side tonight for the first time after their World Cup-winning heroics in the Far East last autumn. But O’mahony (above) hints at the need for them to not live off their reputations. “All the guys we’ve signed have come from very successful backgrounds,” said O’mahony. “There’s a huge amount of positives to take out of signing guys like that. “The reason we signed them is they want to do well and have an impact and they’ve got to do that now - they don’t have any right to play well, they’ve got to go and do it themselves alongside the rest of us. That’s what we’re all going to try to do together, to play our best rugby and try and get Munster Rugby winning.” The Corkman is itching to get going having not featured for the province since mid-january due to Ireland commitments and Covid-19. “It’s good to be back,” he declared. “It’s a long road, an uncertain one.”

WELSH rugby returns today with new Scarlets boss Glenn Delaney demanding his entertainers celebrate lockdown lifting in style against the Cardiff Blues. The shortening of the season lengthens the odds on any Welsh representation in the play-offs with the Scarlets the only region who can make it. Their task has been made harder by the loss of six rounds but Delaney (inset) is content just to be playing again. “Anything you do is not necessarily going to be fair but we need to get games on to start the wheel turning,” said Delaney, who has succeeded Brad Mooar. “We have more challenges than most leagues based on the number of countries who play in it and I think we have come up with a pretty good solution. “Leinster are straight into a semi which is probably fair as they are the best side. The rest of us don’t really get the chance to catch up but that’s OK. Let’s get out there and have a crack.” ALL KICKING OFF Scarlets have not played since February but return today