MUNSTER face Clermont this Saturday in the Champions Cup, hoping to make it two from two after their win over the Harlequins in the first round last Sunday.
The duo have a storied history in the competition having met seven times since 2007.
Clermont hold a big edge in the victory count (5-2) and did win in their last encounter, the 2013 Heineken Cup semi-final. They also have a Thomond Park victory in their resumé.
Munster’s last triumph over the French giants came in 2008.
Ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated clash, relive the last five below.
Clermont 25-19 Munster (Pool Stage)
7 December 2008 in the Stade Marcel-Michelin
In keeping with the theme between the sides, the home side would come away with the win but Munster would secure a valuable losing bonus point.
Ronan O’Gara’s early penalty would be quickly erased by the boot of Brock James as two on the bounce had the home side 6-3 ahead.
Marcus Horan’s 25th minute try would turn the balance of the game as O’Gara’s extras made it 6-13 in Munster’s favour.
James would add two more penalties before the break as Munster took a slender 12-13 lead into the interval.
James would get a try on 47’ and convert to further extend his sides lead, adding to his 42nd minute penalty.
His effort on 53 minutes had Clermont 25-13 ahead.
However, O’Gara would have the final say in the battle of the kickers as his brace of penalties in the final minutes saw Munster escape with the bonus.
Munster 23-16 Clermont (Pool Stage)
13 December 2008 in Thomond Park
Munster got the job done and ensured Clermont come away from Limerick with nothing after the tough encounter the previous week.
Ronan O’Gara got Munster on the scoreboard with a pair of penalties on 20’ and 26’. Brock James’ retorted with one of his own but Dennis Wallace’s try gave Munster daylight at the half.
Julien Malzieu’s 60th minute try and James’ conversion made for a nervous final 20.
And Munster would indeed leave it late with two late tries from Marcus Horan and Niall Ronan sealing the all-important win after the loss a week before.
Munster would go on to win the tournament, finishing level on points with Clermont but advancing as group winners.
Clermont 16-10 Munster (Semi-Final)
27 April 2013 in the Stade de la Mosson
Ronan O’Gara’s final game for Munster saw his side narrowly miss out on a Heinken cup final berth.
O’Gara’s fifth minute penalty gave Munster a bright start in Montpellier but they wouldn’t score for the next 50 minutes as Clermont took control in a tense affair.
Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga opened the try scoring on eight minutes as Morgan Parra added the extras.
Parra was on hand for penalties in the 13th and 17th minute as Clermont lead 13-3 at the interval.
He would extend that advantage on 47 but they would not score again.
Munster got their breakthrough on 49 with a Dennis Hurley try that O’Gara duly converted.
However, Munster could not get the desired try as they fell at the final four.
Munster 9-16 Clermont (Pool Stage)
6 December 2014 in Thomond Park
Munster fell to a third consecutive loss to Clermont and a first in Thomond Park but secured the bonus point in a dull affair.
Fritz Lee gave Clermont the lead inside the opening minute with Wesley Fofana dotting down 20 minutes later to help the away side into a 3-10 lead.
Ian Keatley would close the gap to four points but a drop goal and penalty from Camille Lopez made it 6-16 at the half.
There would be just one further score in the second period as Keatley’s third penalty on 61 secured the losing bonus point.
Clermont 26-19 Munster (Pool Stage)
14 December 2014 in the Stade Marcel-Michelin
Munster’s most recent clash with Clermont ended in defeat for Munster as they would go on to miss out on the knockout stages of the competition..
Ian Keatley kicked Munster into an early 0-6 lead in the Stade Marcel-Michelin. Clermont would dominate the remainder of the half as tries from Damien Chouly and Noa Seru Nakaitaci, coupled with the boot of Camille Lopez gave Clermont a 16-6 lead at the half.
Keatley would strike the first blow of the second half with his third penalty. Lopez would reply with a pair to push the home side further ahead.
Chouly’s second try gave them an unassailable 26-9 lead with eight left to play.
However Duncan Casey’s 75th minute try, Keatley’s conversion and a late penalty from Keatley gave Munster another bonus point against the French giants.
It would prove for little in the end however.
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