Munster v Perpignan: The prevailing mood, coupled with the rather surprising bookies' odds, would seem to suggest Munster are set to negotiate a fairly routine route to the Heineken European Cup semi-finals. But Perpignan's behemoths are liable to provide anything but a smooth passage for Munster.
Had this contest been a continuation of the pool stages, after the high of Munster's dramatic four-try win over Sale in Thomond Park to earn "home" advantage and Perpignan's own disappointment at not procuring a Catalonian tie in Barcelona, the momentum would have been with Declan Kidney's team.
Unsurprisingly, the intervening nine weeks have changed the landscape. For sure it's helpful all bar Anthony Foley of numbers one to 10 have been performing at a high level with Ireland, but not alone have a full-strength Munster not played together since, Perpignan have been largely untroubled by the Six Nations. Ironically too, whereas Denis Leamy's fitness means their international contingent have come through unscathed, their one casualty has been their find of the season, Barry Murphy.
Kidney has decided to convert scrumhalf and sometime-winger Tomas O'Leary into an outside centre in Murphy's absence, and will perm two from Mike Mullins, Rob Henderson and Christian Cullen on the bench. "He's a good player, he's showed he can play scrumhalf or on the wing, and he's just a good footballer," commented the Munster coach yesterday. "The reason why we delayed on it was because in fairness to Mike Mullins and Rob Henderson they worked really hard to get back but we just felt it came too soon for them."
O'Leary has one tough act to follow in emulating Murphy's dynamic running. Murphy's ability fix the opposing defence, and either use his excellent footwork to make breaks or create space for those outside him has given an added dimension to Munster's back play this season. It also helped to rejuvenate Ronan O'Gara's form, giving him a target to hit with his long flat skip passes along the gain line. That avenue doesn't look so promising now.
Not that there might be too much in the way of frills on a day which appears set for Munster's more traditional virtues, with the pack generating an unremitting level of intensity and O'Gara's boot firing them forward and garnering the points.
"I think it's going to be a battle," predicted Foley yesterday. "It's going to be tough up front, and it will be interesting to see out wide depending on the weather conditions. Games like this are a pure cup match, and it probably all depends on which pack comes out on top."
The forecast is for blustery, possibly showery - so tough conditions to play in. This won't hold too many fears for a huge, ultra-physical Perpignan outfit.
One takes the Perpignan team selection with a pinch of salt, as there's no place in the 22 for Manny Edmonds and primary ball winner Colin Gaston, with Ramiro Pez named at outhalf and both flanker Gregory Le Corvec and 15-stone centre Jean-Phillipe Grandclaude on the bench. In the likes of their magnificent prop Nicolas Mas and the abrasive Romanian duo of hooker Marius Tincu (whose darts can be a bit iffy) and flanker Ovidiu Tonita, they have some real brute strength when the going gets rough. Recently returned from injury fullback Julien Laharrague can be one of the most lethal broken-field runners around.
Nor will Lansdowne Road, where they beat Leinster in the semi-finals three seasons ago, hold anything like the fear for them Thomond Park, where they lost in the pool stages that season, would have done. Even at that, Perpignan gave Munster two rugged matches in their defeats in Cork and Limerick, while recording handsome home wins. Their formguide of late is way better than Munster's. "Last week against Bourgoin they went to St Etienne, they were playing away in front of 27,000 and won . . . the Munster crowd will be a very important factor but it's up to us first to give them something to get in behind," said Foley.
Yet you know the 45,000 or so home supporters will create an unmerciful din and sing The Fields. You know the wearing of the Munster crest will engender as much fervour as did playing England for the Triple Crown. And you know the sheer desire and will of men like Jerry Flannery, Paul O'Connell and Leamy will not dim for one second of the 80 minutes.
Previous meetings: 1998-1999 (Pool) - Perpignan 41 Munster 24; Munster 13 Perpignan 5. 2002-2003 (Pool) Munster 30 Perpignan 21; Perpignan 23 Munster 8.
European Cup (2005-2006): Munster - lost to Sale Sharks (a) 27-13; bt Castres Olympique (h) 42-16; bt Dragons (a) 24-8; bt Dragons (h) 30-18; bt Castres (a) 46-9; bt Sale Sharks (h) 31-9. Perpignan - bt Calvisano (a) 25-6; bt Cardiff (h) 37-14; lost to Leeds Tykes (a) 21-20; bt Leeds Tykes (h) 12-8; bt Cardiff (a) 21-3; bt Calvisano (h) 45-0.
Leading points scorers: Munster - Ronan O'Gara 68. Perpignan - Nicholas Laharrague 52.
Leading try scorers: Munster - Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan, Anthony Foley, Tomas O'Leary 2 each. Perpignan - Christophe Manas 4.
Odds (Paddy Power): 1-4 Munster, 22-1 draw, 11-4 Perpignan. Handicap odds (= Munster - 10 pts): 11-10 Munster, 20-1 draw, 8-11 Perpignan.
Forecast: Munster to win.
In the event of a tie at full-time extra time of 20 minutes (10 minutes each way) will be played. If the result is still unresolved the winner will be decided by: (a) the club which has scored the most tries in that match, including extra time (b) place kicking competition to determine the winner.
15 Julien Laharrague
Age: 27. Height: 6'1". Weight: 14st 6lbs.
French international last season prior to injury but has yet to reclaim a spot in the national side. Older brother of injured outhalf Nicolas, who misses the match after damaging a shoulder against Bourgoin the last day.
Very good counter-attacker and a silken runner, Munster will be punished if they kick carelessly.
14 Christophe Manas
Age: 30. Height: 5'10". Weight: 12st 8lbs.
A former French Under-21 international and a long-term member of the French sevens squad, he's not the biggest physically but more than atones with tremendous pace and an excellent step. He is his side's leading try scorer in this season's competition with four. It'll be an interesting clash with the physically robust Ian Dowling.
13 David Marty
Age: 23. Height: 5'11". Weight: 13st 7lbs.
Scored two tries for France in this season's Six Nations Championship victory over Ireland at Stade de France, both of which came from block downs. Had previously played for the French Under-21 and A teams. Came into the French team that day because of injury and took his chance.
12 Gavin Hume Age: 26.
Height: 6'2". Weight: 16st 5lbs.
The powerful former South African Under-21 international recently celebrated his 26th birthday. He arrived in France from the Stormers franchise in South Africa and has settled in well in the Catalan enclave. Strong running and direct, he's going to prove a handful. Keeping Jean Phillipe Grandclaude out of the team.
11 Samueli Dawai Naulu
Age: 24. Height: 6'4". Weight: 18st 4lbs.
A Jonah Lomu-esque figure who can also play in the backrow. His sheer size makes him an imposing threat physically but like most Fijians he is also blessed with great pace. In try-scoring terms he is the second most prolific for his club in this season's tournament with three.
10 Ramiro Pez
Age: 27. Height: 5'9". Weight: 13st 5lbs.
Moved from Argentina to Roma in 2000, where he amassed 122 points in 19 Serie A games. Went on to enjoy spells at Leicester and Bath. An Italian international, the left-footed kicker finished third highest scorer in this year's Six Nations with 44 points (four conversions, nine penalties and three drop-goals).
9 Nicolas Durand
Age: 23. Height: 5'8". Weight: 11st 9lbs.
Absolute livewire of a scrumhalf who captained the French side to victory over Ireland in the A international at Limoges earlier this season. A constant sniping presence, he varies his game intelligently and will keep the Munster backrow honest. He has played for France at Under-18, Under-19, Under-21 and A levels.
1 Perry Freshwater
Age: 32. Height: 6'0". Weight: 17st 4lbs.
New Zealand-born, he played for the Kiwi Schools, Under-19 and Under-21 teams before moving to England where he spent some time with the Leicester Tigers amongst other teams. He subsequently declared for England and came off the bench in the recent Triple Crown match against Ireland at Twickenham. His heroine is Mother Teresa.
2 Marius Tincu
Age: 27. Height: 5'11". Weight: 17st 4lbs.
Romanian hooker who has settled in well and is considered first choice at the club. Squat and powerful, he is a noted ball carrier and a formidable scrummager. It'll be interesting to see who wins his duel with Ireland and Munster's Jerry Flannery. It's fair to say that neither will be taking a backward step.
3 Nicolas Mas
Age: 25. Height: 5'11". Weight: 17st 4lbs.
A former Under-19, Under-21 and French A international. He lined out at tighthead prop when France beat Ireland at A level this season. He is noted for his ability in the tight but was kept surprisingly quiet that day in Limoges by Ray Hogan. He'll be at the centre of Perpignan's driving maul.
4 Rimas Alvarez-Kairelis
Age: 31. Height: 6'6". Weight: 16st 11lbs.
A very mobile and hard-working Argentinian who is equally at home in the secondrow or the backrow. Expect him to be very prominent in open play and also on Munster's throw in the lineout. Despite his advanced years he's still an integral part of this pack. Mick O'Driscoll will have warned Munster about his former team-mate.
5 Nathan Hines
Age: 29. Height: 6'7". Weight: 18st 8lbs.
The Australian-born Scottish international lock who famously retired from international rugby after falling out with the then Scotland coach Matt Williams, only to return under the regime of Frank Hadden. Very good lineout operator with a voracious work-rate around the pitch. Has fit in well in his first full season.
6 Scott Robertson
Age: 31. Height: 6'5" Weight: 17st 0lbs.
The former All Black is in his first season with the club. An excellent all round player, his athleticism and power make him a decent ball carrier. He's shifted between blindside flanker and number eight this season and could swap with Tonita during the match.
7 Bernard Goutta
Age: 33. Height: 6'1". Weight: 16st 3lbs.
One-time groundsman and a former captain of the club, he is a legend in Perpignan. When the Catalans beat Leinster in that semi-final he captained the team and literally put his body on the line for the "blood and gold". Talismanic figure and a genuinely hard man who has represented France at senior and A level.
8 Ovidiu Tonita
Age: 25. Height: 6'5". Weight: 15st 12 lbs.
One of the best backrow forwards in world rugby. The Romanian colossus is equally at home whether carrying ball or knocking down opposition players.
Appears to have been around for longer than his 25 years. Munster will need to negate his influence.
