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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

All guns blazing v Munster for Ross Molony and Leinster as lock hits milestone

Ross Molony insists it will be "all guns blazing" around Christmas as Leinster aim for a special festive reward at Thomond Park.

The Blues have made an outstanding start to the season on both fronts, adding two crushing Champions Cup victories to their opening nine victories in the URC.

The aim is to reach double digits on St Stephen's Day against old foes Munster.

READ MORE: 'You're talking about peoples' jobs being on the line' - Stephen Ferris fears Ulster are in freefall

“Yeah, they’re our biggest rivals," Molony said. "There’s always a lot of energy around that game, it’s an enjoyable game to play in and an enjoyable game to get the rewards and win, so we’re not going to take the foot off.

"We’re going to go down there wanting a win and enjoying St Stephen’s Day."

Molony remembers his first appearance there was in a 24-7 win for Leinster. "I came off the bench," he said. "Zane Kirchner scored (in the 80th minute) with an intercept.

“I’ve played there a lot. You’re busy over Christmas with rugby but then there’s a reward there because you go down and you play in an unbelievable atmosphere.

"It’s a great day, it’s a big day for Munster fans and a big day out in Limerick, so it’s always entertaining - and if you can go down there and make it worthwhile it’s pretty sweet.

"They are our biggest rivals so it’s all guns blazing for next week.

"On Christmas Day, you're obviously thinking about the game, you probably won't have any alcohol!

"I'll be with my family and will switch off from rugby for the day. The good thing about Stephen's Day is we'll get down early and you have that time to prepare."

His team-mate Jimmy O'Brien recently laughed as he recounted how he could hear the comments fired his way from the Thomond stands.

“I don’t actually hear it," smiled Molony. "Thankfully I’m usually in the scrum or in the tight!

"You have to love it. It’s probably why we play. Yeah, there’s an extra edge to it.

"There’s obviously a few very familiar faces down there and it always goes up a notch in those games. They’re going to throw everything at us so it’s going to be brilliant.”

The 28-year-old started against Gloucester in the RDS last Friday night and it was a milestone night for the second row as he made his 150th appearance for the province.

"When I got my first cap I never thought I would have got 150," he admitted.

"I didn't really think about it much, my old man mentioned it to me earlier in the week so he was obviously conscious of it.

"But I would say it's a proud day for myself and my family. Yeah, delighted with it.

"I'm actually loving playing. I've featured in every game so far this season, whether coming off the bench or starting,

"I'm loving the planning that goes into the week, we have a really good group there with a lot of ideas, so I'm loving it.

"I've been lucky with injuries and it obviously says a lot about the staff we have in Leinster and the way our physios look after our players.

"I've been one of the lucky ones not to have picked up a serious injury, touch wood, so yeah, it's been good."

He wants to keep his own run going - and for Leinster's win run to continue in Limerick as the Blues look to make it four in a row at Thomond Park.

"Yeah, 100%," Molony said. "We have put in performances we can be really proud of, we're dominating a lot more up front than we may have before.

"But we can only look at the next game. That's going to be a physical battle and we're just going to prep that exact same way.

"They've got things together now and we'll look forward to getting out there against them."

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