BUCKLEY NOT FAZED BY BIG GAME FEVER; RUGBY.

Byline: MICHAEL SCULLY

TONY Buckley calls it a media-hyped League game - but the Munster giant admits it's still one his side are hungry to win after what he describes as the Croke Park "implosion" last May.

The last time Munster met Leinster, the reigning Heineken Cup champions were in imperious form but it was their unfancied challengers who emerged triumphant, going on to take Munster's European crown.

Buckley admits Saturday's Leinster game at the RDS is about putting down a marker for the season.

"Of course," the prop said. "I think everyone felt fairly low after the game last year, our game-plan disintegrated.

"But everybody will be looking to put that aside and reverse the result of last season. I think last season we had two good outings against them in the Celtic League, home and away, they were very positive results.

"And I think we can do that again - and just avoid the implosion of last year."

Buckley added: "It's always there but it won't be the biggest game for us this year. It's only a Celtic League game. Local rivalry is always going to be hyped in the media, but we're treating it like it's anything crazy.

"The media in general are over-cooking it a bit. It's a Magners League game."

Nevertheless the outcome of that clash last May has served to add to the sense of occasion, and the good news for Munster coach Tony McGahan is there is fierce competition for places with the return of his Lions.

One of those, Keith Earls, was a late withdrawal from Sunday's win over the Dragons and while the versatile Limerick back didn't train yesterday, he is fully expected to recover from a stomach bug.

Munster were boosted by the explosive form of Nick Williams but also by the return to form of Buckley, especially with the new Heineken Cup just around the corner.

The man described as a "man-beast" by Williams on Sunday is getting over a torrid year disrupted by glandular fever, but the start of the season wasn't promising as the province's front row was dominated by Glasgow.

Buckley insists the problems have been ironed out and the evidence was there on Sunday. Next up, the 28-year-old has to face Cian Healy.

"He's a good lad, he's incredibly strong," Buckley said. "I've seen him in the gym lifting incredible weights. I've played against him two or three times and got on all right."

Overall, he's just glad to be back after an illness that wasn't diagnosed for months as he struggled on in the AIL, his Munster and Ireland hopes fading by the day.

"It was the lowest of the low," Buckley said. "I was trying to play games.

"I was trying to psyche myself to play a big game and I was just getting worse and worse every time, and people were getting on your case, saying you're not playing well. You're beating yourself up at home and you are just constantly awake at night.

"We played Garryowen in the Charity Cup final, up in Thomond Park. It was a bit of a disaster for me, I could have played much better.

"I didn't know what was wrong with me. I thought it was in my head, that it was nutrition or training.

"It was just really frustrating like because I didn't know what it was, and then when I was told it was glandular fever I was sort of relieved in a way because I knew it wasn't something wrong with me mentally.

"Physically I was just messed up and when you are so tired, you can't concentrate. I was just so tired. It was hell, really."

The treatment he receives on Saturday won't be anything like what was dished out in the AIL. "It was sort of like kicking you when you were down," he recalled.

"You're trying to prove a point and you don't have the energy or the strength to stick it in their face.

"But I think we have improved game on game this year. Once we carry that forward, keep improving every game - if we can improve as a forward unit, I'd be happy."

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