A repeat of the 2006 final and the 2005 quarter final of the Heineken Cup takes place this week in sunny San Sebastien Spain. Munster travel to take on Biarritz in what promises to be a monumentus battle.
Munster and Biarritz have met twice in a quarter final and once in a final in the 15 year history of the tournament. Biarritz having won two of those quarters and of course Munster winning the final in 2006.
Revenge however is not on the agenda for Biarritz this weekend. “There is no way we see the semi-final as a revenge game from the 2006 final,” said Biarritz captain and lock Jerome Thion. “Circumstances are different, players have changed and both teams have evolved since then. We will approach the game as we would do for any high ranking competition semi-final and our frame of mind is very much set on beating our opponents whoever they may be”
Munster are singing from the same hymn sheet too. Munster coach Tony Mc Gahan this week stressed the importance of this game to the province. “We know that next weekend is what it is all about for us this year. We are really targeting the Heineken Cup. We want to get a result in the semi-final to go one step further than we did last year. We want to put ourselves in with the chance of collecting some silverware.”
The game, which is a sell out, at the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastien offers Munster an opportunity to reach their fifth Heineken Cup final, while Biarritz will be looking to make their second appearance in their second.
The semi final also give Munster a chance to exorcise the demons of last season where a season that promise so much in Europe ended in semi final defeat.
The game itself kicks off at 15.15 Irish time on Sunday afternoon. The Munster Red Army will be in attendance in numbers now that the ash has subsided. The scene is set for the classic battle.
On the injury front, Paul O Connell is expected to miss out due to a long running groin injury, while Keith Earls is back after the same injury. Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling will be tested late for hamstring and knee injuries respectively. The forward pack, clean bill of health pending, will be the same eight that took to the field against the Ospreys. The real headache for coach Mc Gahan is who to play at 11 and 14 should Howlett and or Dowling not make it. However, with Deasy, Mafi, Hurley and Gleeson all showing good form, the team will be as strong as ever. With thoughts that Biarritz are not the fittest, Munster could just win this one in the ‘oven’. Verdict. Munster by five.
