One of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the season takes place in Cork this weekend. On Friday evening, Munster and Leinster go head-to-head in what should prove a keenly contested Magners League clash.

Munster's Ian Dowling will be hoping to continue his impressive form during Friday night's home clash with Leinster in Musgrave Park.

Both teams are currently riding high in the league and a victory would take either side to the top of the table. However not only precious points are on offer in Musgrave Park, as many of the players on display will be anxious to put themselves to the forefront of Eddie O'Sullivan's thoughts ahead of the impending Six Nations. In other words, this game is seen as an old-fashioned trial game with opposing players on both sides fighting it out for a spot on the national side.

High tempo contest

Over the past six years or so this game has transformed from a zealous, high-tempo contest into an all out grudge match. Ever since 14-man Leinster came from behind to win the Celtic League Final in December 2001, there have been numerous memorable occasions coupled with countless off-the-ball exchanges. The match officials will need to be vigilant for the entire eighty minutes. In typical derby fashion, skirmishes and individual battles take place all over the field. This weekend's game should prove no different.

The conflict between the second-rows promises to be a classic.

Last January Leo Cullen inspired former club Leicester to become the first and only side to ever win a Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park. Cullen received countless plaudits for his display that afternoon and his opposite number, Donncha O'Callaghan, will be anxious to set the record straight.

Meanwhile Messrs O'Driscoll and O'Kelly will complete the quartet as they renew a long-standing rivalry. O'Driscoll was unlucky to be left out of the recent World Cup squad, while O'Kelly will feel he deserves to reclaim his spot on the starting Irish fifteen. All four will certainly see this as a trial game for the national side and fireworks can be expected from the off.

Hookers confrontation

The confrontation of the opposing hookers should prove another intriguing facet of play. Jerry Flannery has fought hard over the past ten months to regain his fitness and sharpness following a lengthy lay-off from injury this time last year.

The Munster hooker seems to have recaptured his barnstorming form and Friday's game offers the perfect platform to display it. Opposite the Shannon man in the scrum, is the current form hooker in Irish rugby, Bernard Jackman.

Jackman was immense during Leinster's recent defeat away to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup. Extremely prominent in the loose, the former Connacht man appears to have conquered his Achilles' heel by perfecting his throwing in the line-out.

In the past, Jackman cracked under pressure and securing vital line-out ball became an uphill struggle. Such a deficiency can prove detrimental to a side's success. The real test will come this weekend and you can be sure the home side will look to disrupt proceedings at every opportunity.

Battle of out- halves

The final instalment to this on-field soap opera exists between the battle of the out-halves. There is clearly no love lost between Ireland's Ronan O'Gara and Argentina's Felipe Contepomi. There has always been a deep-hearted rivalry between the two but ever since the Argentinean's meteoric collapse during the infamous Heineken Cup semi-final in 2006, hostilities have grown ever worse.

Tensions flared again during the recent World Cup clash and it will be interesting to observe the opening exchanges this weekend.

O'Gara appears to have recaptured both his form and his mental strength over the past three weeks, but the forthcoming clash with his old rival will provide the real litmus test.

Given their current form and the fact they'll be enjoying home advantage, Munster will be favourites to win. The current aggression emanating from the pack, coupled with O'Gara's re-emerging confidence should allow the home side to boss proceedings.

The loss of Alan Quinlan for up to two months, with a hand injury, will certainly be a stern blow. However with a replacement of Anthony Foley's stature lying in waiting, the transition in the back-row may prove seamless thus giving the home side they edge they need.

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