THE hearts of Munster fans have just about returned to a normal beat rate this week after last weekend’s dramatic finish to the Northampton Heineken Cup fixture. Munster’s late win sets them up nicely for a trip to France this weekend to take on Castres, in Toulouse. Munster have named an unchanged squad for the trip this Saturday, KO 3.40pm (Irish time).
John Ryan who was called into the starting day squad when Marcus Horan was forced to withdraw is retained but Horan came through training this week and is still expected to travel to France.
The plan to switch the Castres/Munster game to Toulouse doesn’t appear to have entirely found favour with the French club’s supporters. According to reports only 10,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s game at the 18,000+ capacity Stade Ernest-Wallon with Castres supporters seemingly unwilling to support the initiative for a game their side must win if they’re to retain any hope of progress from this ultra competitive group.
Speaking ahead of this week’s game, Munster coach Tony Mc Gahan is expecting a real battle for points.
“We are happy to play anywhere. We don’t know what Castres have switched the game, but that is not in our hands. Castres have been a hugely consistent side. Their progress to be in top four of top 14 is to be admired. They are a very traditional French side. They have a very good 9 and 10, who can kick well. They have two big centres., who look to attack from all phases. We can expect nothing else than a trench warfare style of game”.
With Munster having played the best two sides in Europe in the last two weekends, (Leinster and Northampton) the win and the loss needs to be followed up with a win this weekend. Should Munster defeat Castres, then the French outfit would effectively be out of the Heineken Cup, such is the tightness of this group.
As with the previous two weeks, attitude is going to be the key. Tony Mc Gahan agrees.
“Outside of set pieces we need to get a foothold in the game early. We had a great win in France versus Perpignan a couple of seasons ago. That was secured on having a good start and having the right attitude at the breakdown and throughout the field.”
Playing in France is a tough challenge at all times. Munster have played Castres 10 times. Winning seven and losing three. All in France. The opposition alone can be hard enough, but if you factor in the ‘French’ rugby experience, then one can see how hard this weekend is going to be.
“The noise and the extravaganza of a French game can be very hard to ignore. We have to focus on ourselves first and worry about everything else after that” claims Mc Gahan.
Munster captain Paul O’Connell has memories of French away games too. Even before he togged out for Munster.
“I remember being brought on a trip once to Castres with the squad. It was before I made my debut for Munster. The noise and atmosphere in the ground was very intimidating. It got to the players that day, to start, but they came back to win. I suppose that game showed me the never say die attitude that Munster have been known for since. Up to last week I suppose”.
With Munster having played two very intense games in recent weeks, this week in camp has been more about rehab and analysis than anything else.
“We have been downloading this week”, commented O’Connell. “We have to do a lot of analysis of Castres as we would not be used to playing them much. Just looking at their team we know that they have a massive pack and a great backrow. It is going to be a tough day”.
Castres, currently third in the Top 14, (Sevens wins and three draws from their 10 games) are a side who are dangerous from all facets of play. The traditional French flair of running rugby is a style well adopted by Castres.
“Once they get momentum it is hard to stop”, admits O’Connell. “I was watching some tape this week with Anthony Foley and their off load game is immense if you leave them do it. The idea for us this weekend and with all running sides is to try and get them on the ground. It’s easier said than done, but it is easier than chasing the them around as they play a fast paced game”.
Should Munster secure a win, they will go into the back to back Scarlets ties knowing that the dream of qualification is still alive. Northampton will expect to defeat the Scarlets this weekend at home. Should they win and Munster win in Castres, the defining game of the season will very much be in Franklin’s Gardens. Seeing as the Saints will face Castres in their back to back games.
Munster will travel to France on Friday morning in the knowledge that five wins and a defeat could be good enough to qualify. The defeat, of course, will not come this weekend.
Munster’s season could well be defined by this weekend’s game. Will they be chasing the leader or will they, as in many years before, lead from the front all the way to the quarter finals?
Munster Squad: Horan, J Ryan, Du Preez, Botha, Hayes, Archer, Varley, Fogarty, D Ryan, P O’Connell, O’Callaghan, O’Driscoll, Holland, O’Mahony, Ronan, Coughlan, Leamy, Murray, O’Leary, Stringer, Williams, O’Gara, Keatley, Deasy, Murphy, Howlett, Barnes, Chambers, Mafi, Hurley.
