“We've had two so far this season - against Ulster and Connacht - and we have another big one coming up (on Friday). The games are always tight, competitive and hugely physical and I'm expecting Friday night to be no different.

'We made a fair few changes to our team for the Ospreys match, and first and foremost I'm pleased that we got the win. We lacked control at the base of our scrum and in our delivery and they were probably the two key ingredients behind the game becoming messy.

'We lacked a bit of discipline at times and we know that coming up against a side as strong as Munster's that they are key areas that we will need to improve upon.'

Both Gordon D'Arcy and Stephen Keogh, who missed the 26-19 victory over the Ospreys, have recovered from their respective injuries to give the Leinster management some extra options at centre and in the back row.

Cheika added: 'We're pleased to welcome back Gordon and Stephen and we will just need to wait and see on their availability this week. Certainly their inclusion in the preliminary squad, as well as welcoming back both Jamie (Heaslip) and Ollie (Le Roux) after being rested last weekend, gives the squad a boost.'

Leinster have not won a match on Munster soil since a 24-18 Interprovincial championship success at Dooradoyle in August 1998 but their performances away from home in this season's league, including two notable wins at Cardiff and the Ospreys, has given the province a lift ahead of Friday's game.

'Our away form has improved this year and that was an area that we were keen to improve on. We know how difficult it is to win on the road and Friday will be a big, big challenge. We've got to keep our heads against a Munster side who are bang in form by the looks of things,' admitted the Australian.”