Alex Nankivell with a fantastic carry through the guts of Leinster in the middle of the 22.

The ball is spread left and Craig Casey thinks he makes a smart dart down the wing towards the try line.

But the diminutive scrum-half has a foot in touch.

Finally, a chance to build for the Reds.

Jack Crowley kicks a penalty deep into the Leinster 22

Byrne does not let the weather affect his kick.

Over it soars and already it feels like Munster need some points.

First, they need some territory.

Munster looking lively, but they are still in their own half.

But they're caught isolated and Andrew Porter with the jackal that draws the penalty 30-metres-out.

Swirling wind around Thomond Park tonight that has Ciaran Frawley chasing the bobbling ball like a training montage in the Rocky movie, where Sylvester Stallone unsuccessfully chases some chickens...

The visitors starting the brighter so far.

This time with the lineout win on the edge of the Munster 22 and Joe McCarthy bursts towards the line, but it's called back for a knock-on and the home side can breathe.

First chance for new-man Oli Jager to show his scrummaging skills against potential Ireland team-mate Andrew Porter.

Nothing to choose between them, but expect a real dog fight between the two in the next hour or so.

What a start for the boys in blue.

Straight from the kick-off Munster infringe on the ground and referee Andrew Brace has no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Harry Byrne makes no mistake from 15 metres out.

On a wet evening on the west coast of Ireland, Harry Byrne punts the ball high and we're underway!

Can Munster avenge last month's defeat in the capital, lets find out.

It is absolutely teeming down in Limerick. Anyone got a spare umbrella?

Leo Cullen has just commented how conditions will play their part and there is no doubt that will be the case.

Up-the-jumper stuff rather than a fancy-flair-affair, could be the name of the game.

Munster manager Graham Rowntree speaking to RTE prior to Kick-off:

"The last couple games have been special against Leinster.

"We've been lacking a bit of composure but we're doing some good things and training has been going well.

"Leinster are a tough team to play against, they have threats everywhere

"A victory would kick-start the season and I want us to be composed for 80 minutes."

Munster's Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray will sit out tonight's URC derby against Leinster at Thomond Park, while the visitors are without Ireland players James Ryan and Caelan Doris.

Graham Rowntree and Leo Cullen have however named strong starting line-ups.

Munster make four personnel changes and one positional switch from the side that lost 32-24 to Exeter last week.

Leinster welcome back Luke McGrath, who last featured in the season opener away to Glasgow Warriors.

Scrum-half McGrath returns from two months out through injury.

Centre Garry Ringrose captains the team in a line-up that sees seven of the players who started last month's win between the two sides at the Aviva Stadium feature once more.

Fly-half Harry Byrne returns to the starting line-up, having missed the Champions Cup win over Sale Sharks.

Jack Conan is back from injury to join Scott Penny and Max Deegan in the back row.

Tight-head prop Oli Jager makes his first start for Munster after joining from the Crusaders in the autumn. He is joined by Dave Kilcoyne in the front row, who is also making his first start of the campaign.

In the back-line, Simon Zebo comes into the side at full-back for his second appearance of the season, with Shane Daly moving to the left wing.

Peter O'Mahony remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Oli Jager; Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Jack O'Donoghue.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Seán O'Brien.

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (capt), Ciarán Frawley, Rob Russell; Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala'alatoa; Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy; Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ed Byrne, Thomas Clarkson, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Liam Turner, Will Connors.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

We've a Christmas cracker at Thomond Park tonight with plenty of incentive for both sides to come away with the win.

Leinster sit just behind URC leaders Glasgow and a victory will see them move top of the standings.

Munster will be out for revenge after going down to a 21-16 defeat by their derby rivals in Dublin last month.

Both are back in URC action after their European exploits and they will be fired up for one of the biggest games of the season.

We bring you latest from Limerick - thanks for joining us.