ROBIN McBRYDE was glad of the advice from Leinster’s guest speaker ahead of Saturday’s URC clash with Munster at Croke Park.

It will be the province’s second visit to GAA HQ in just over five months, following on from their Champions Cup semi-final win over Northampton last May.

But Leinster’s historic 2009 tussle with Munster at the ground will probably be the memory on everyone’s mind. In front of a sell-out crowd that day.

The Blues overcame their rivals in the semis en route to a first Heineken Cup title.

While Dublin footballer James McCarthy spoke to the Leinster players ahead of the Northampton clash.

UCD Professor of History Paul Rouse was called into the province’s training base this week to offer a greater insight to the history and character of the stadium.

Leinster assistant coach McBryde was among those in attendance for Rouse — who had a brief spell in charge of the Offaly senior footballers — and felt it was a beneficial addition to their match prep.

He said: “One of the things I took away from it, it was only a 15-20 minute presentation where he went through the history and detail of the place, but he also said, ‘Don’t make any more of it than what it is’.

“I think the players are all aware of Paul anyway. It’s not the first time they’ve come across him. I personally enjoy that type of thing.

“It’s not too heavy, not too intense, but it gives a different feel to the week and it deserves that. Because of the nature of the opposition that we’re playing.”

Having earned a third successive bonus-point victory in their away trip to Benetton on Saturday, Leinster will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten start in the URC.

However, there were injury concerns arising from the game in Treviso with Rónan Kelleher and Jimmy O’Brien both being replaced in the opening half with respective ankle and hamstring injuries.

Along with Jordan Larmour — who was unavailable for selection at the weekend as a precaution — Kelleher and O’Brien will be further assessed this week before a final decision is made.

Given fellow hooker Dan Sheehan is a long-term absentee, there is hope that a spell on the sidelines will not be in store for Kelleher.

Yet in the event he is not available this weekend, former Welsh No  2 McBryde is confident that the likes of Lee Barron, 23, and Gus McCarthy, 21 — who has returned early from the Emerging Ireland squad currently touring South Africa — can step up to the plate.

McBryde added: “Rónan is being assessed. We’ve got Gus coming back from South Africa. I thought Lee went well at the weekend.

“We’ll see how Rónan goes. Stevie Smyth is in South Africa as well, so we’re a bit depleted with regards to that, but I think we’ll be OK.

“They have been around the squad long enough, Lee in particular. Gus has had a great start to the season — the pre-season games and when he’s played for us. Then on the back of two performances with Emerging Ireland.

“Hopefully his confidence will be as high as ever and he’ll be good to go.”