As Leinster and Munster prepare for tomorrow's derby, both sides are in transition.
But former England and Lions man Stuart Barnes believes there is one key difference between the teams as he and ex-Leinster and Ireland player Paul Wallace previewed the game on Off The Ball tonight.
"Leinster are starting from a higher level because the transition is coming from a three-time in four years European Cup-winning team, whereas Munster have been muddling along to semi-finals here and there," said Barnes.
Wallace believes Leinster still have talented players coming through like Rhys Ruddock and Jack McGrath, married with experience around them.
He believes Munster will come up short but can harness aggressiveness and anger after a tough start to the season.
Barnes does not think the Munster culture of winning has not gone.
"You don't go from being as powerful as Munster have been for so long, to being a forlorn no-hoper," he said.
Barnes also feels that Munster need to keep the game tight tomorrow and non-expansive to give themselves the best chance of beating Leinster, and added that they will need to distance themselves from the style that former head coach Rob Penney tried to implement.
