Heineken Cup Munster v Leinster:Big names give their verdict

TREVOR BRENNAN(ex-Leinster)

I think that performance shocked everyone. They came out fighting and got an early score that they were able to build on.

It would have been an easy team talk to give. The Leinster players must be fed up of all the crap that has been bandied about them over the years. This hugely insulting ladyboys tag. Would you say it to them now? There is only so much real men can take before they say enough is enough.

Leo Cullen rolled back the years. Shane Jennings was everywhere. Jamie Heaslip completely outplayed Denis Leamy, who is a great player, in the number eight battle. Bernard Jackman was like Keith Wood in his heyday around the field. The pack stood up to the challenge. The came to fight.

My brother was at the match and he still saw Leinster people wearing Munster jerseys. The “Leinster for life, Munster for the day” people still exist and I feel that is wrong. Munster’s success has been great but to get the real change in attitude Leinster must go on and win the competition. Only then will they get the full respect. It is only fitting that guys like Brian O’Driscoll, Mal O’Kelly and Shane Horgan are contesting such a final.

MATT WILLIAMS(Ulster coach)

The Rocky Elsom tackle on Ian Dowling, when he was offside, in the first half seemed like a watershed moment. A Munster try then would have had a huge impact. Munster were good in the opening 40 minutes, which was the best half of rugby I’ve seen all season. Lifeimi Mafi made some good yardage but the Leinster defence was incredible, the tackling immense.

I said last week that to back Leinster into a corner would make them dangerous opponents but nobody could have seen them being this good. Brian O’Driscoll’s performance epitomised so much about the collective display. Remember the abuse he had to take just a few months back. The player of the Six Nations, then he goes and does this. He was overlooked for the Lions captaincy, but his response was plain for all to see. A true gentleman, he and so many of his team-mates deserve the chance to play in a European Cup final.

Felipe Contepomi also showed well before the injury but his replacement Jonathan Sexton had a phenomenal game. To come in, cold, and kick that penalty after being suspended recently and dropped earlier in the season tells us a lot about the man.

GEOFF MOYLAN(Shannon coach)

Leinster were excellent. Felipe Contepomi rose above his previous problems against Munster before departing and it set the tone for what followed. Jonathan Sexton came in and did extremely well considering the circumstances. He carried on the work of Contepomi, while Ronan O’Gara had another forgettable game in Croke Park. Not that he or his team-mates were allowed to play.

The Leinster intensity at the breakdown was something to witness. They won all the decisive physical confrontations and it became apparent that what they underwent in beating Harlequins at The Stoop stood to them when Munster tried to force their way back into the match.

The discipline was amazing; not conceding a penalty in a dangerous area despite the most relentless bouts of pressure. The turnovers, as well, were important and constant features of the match. All this while defending right on the edge. Rocky Elsom in particular – he was offside for that Ian Dowling tackle and it made a big difference.

It was a special day but I thought the lap of honour at the end was unnecessary. They haven’t won anything yet.

MIKE ROSS(Harlequins prop)

I don’t think anyone expected this to happen. The points difference was a surprise but Leinster deserved every one of them.

There can be few complaints from Munster. It’s rare that you can say this but Munster were well beaten up front. They were simply not allowed to play their usual game because of the disciplined defence Leinster showed. Just like they did against us at The Stoop, they refused to buckle. They won so many of the collisions.

You could see the Leinster players were really up for it. That it came in Croke Park on such a special occasion makes it all the more satisfying for them but they have earned the right to go to Edinburgh and contest the final.