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Stander: ‘From Teammates To Rivals’

30th March 2016 By Munster Rugby

Stander: ‘From Teammates To Rivals’

Making quite the impression on the international stage in Ireland’s recent 6 Nations campaign, Munster back-row CJ Stander will now go toe-to-toe with a number of his new Irish teammates in this Saturday’s interprovincial against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium – KO 5.30pm.

From brothers in arms to interprovincial rivals, this Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 fixture marks the first time that Stander will face an Irish province following involvement in the national side.  The Munster back row started all five of this season’s 6 Nations championship.
 
“From teammates to rivals and for me it will be the first time experiencing that so it will be interesting.  These are the games that the team lives for, playing Leinster in an interprovincial at the Aviva.
 
“I remember when I arrived here four years ago, that was the clash that was talked about from the beginning of the season.  It’s a great battle and everyone is really excited about it.
 
“Afterwards it will be nice to chat with some of the Leinster lads because you make friends when you are in Irish camp, but before then both camps have a job to do.  They are hoping maintain a home semi-final spot with Scarlets hot on their heels, and for us, we’re trying to secure Champions Cup and play-off qualification.  If we slip up this week it makes things a lot harder for us.
 
“It won’t get any easier after that when we head to Connacht.  I watched Connacht and Leinster last weekend and both sides played a great game.  It was one of the best and most competitive games I’ve seen all season and it’s great to see our interpros performing on that level.  Leinster were still without a couple of players who will be back in the mix this weekend and that fact that they are playing in the Aviva will give them another lift.”
 
Stander enters this weekend’s game off the back off a try-scoring 31 minute run against Zebre in Thomond Park last weekend where Munster ultimately ran out 47-0 winners – their biggest winning margin in league history.
 
“It was nice to get a try but as it was my first time returning to the squad [from international duty] it was even nicer to feel the energy in the squad here in Munster and that will pick up even more with the likes of Murray, Earls and the rest of the internationals.  They will bring another dynamic.
 
“We know the situation we are in and what we need to work towards.  It was good to get a run out against Zebre, however this weekend will be a totally different battle against Leinster.  Everyone has something on the line in the last few games of the season.”
 
Leinster v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 19, Saturday April 2nd at the Aviva Stadium – KO 5.30pm.

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