A LOT HAS changed in Ireland since Munster began this Heineken Cup campaign back in November 2007. We have a new "F***s 'n all" Taoiseach, a new "Pope- like" soccer manager and a new "cliché-free" rugby coach. It's no surprise though that amid all this domestic turbulence, Munster remain as unaffected and resilient now as when they lost by a point in their pulsating opener away to Wasps.

Sport may not be predictable, but Munster certainly are consistent, despite what the recently departed "lu-la" from Oz blared out from the airport runway.

It was a long time coming, but good old David "Knoxy" Knox finally came out with the kind of misguided, delusional bile which goes some way towards explaining Leinster's split personality over the past while. There were so many examples of pot calling kettle black in his cracked outburst that presumably Declan Kidney couldn't have put it to any use, even as a motivational tool. He's too busy preparing for a fourth Heineken Cup final involving two teams who, not coincidentally, do their talking on the pitch.

During his tenure as Leinster backs coach Knox always placed an emphasis on being his own man, which manifested itself mainly in him refusing to wear the Leinster kit, preferring instead to hang out donning his unique "surfing shorts and flip-flops" look (in January). He is his own man all right and he's welcome to him.

Deccy, on the other hand, is not a man to give much away. Even though his adrenalin must be brimming over the edge for his last game in charge of Munster, there will be no effort spared in the seemingly relentless pursuit of emotional suppression.

With Sky Sports having the exclusive "live" rights, we can expect the usual bout of attack and defence even in the pre-match interview, with Deccy's cards in the usual place and Sky's in as subtle a place as ever.

SKY- Surely the biggest, most emotional occasion of your life Declan Kidney?

DK- Well, I don't know about that now, it's no different to any other game of rugby that you want to win.

SKY- Yes, but surely this one means more to you than any before?

DK- Well in some ways it does, in some ways it doesn't.

SKY- In which ways does it?

DK- Some ways.

SKY- What way do you expect Toulouse to play?

DK- I expect them to attack when they have the ball and defend when they don't have the ball.

SKY- What about Munster?

DK- We'll probably do something similar.

SKY- Are you confident you can win it again?

DK- Well we're always confident, but as I said before, we'll just have to wait and see.

SKY- Brilliant. Thanks, Declan, it's been incredible.

Whatever happens against Toulouse, Kidney will be leaving arguably the best Munster team of them all, with a potent mix of gnarly grit up front and searing pace out wide. Add in the maestro at number 10 and they look unbeatable. If he stays out of trouble that is. While it may be as obvious as the noses on Pelous' face, I'd wager the Toulouse hard men are certain to try and "take care" of ROG.

On the other hand, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde isn't exactly "hard as nails" and if he leaves his back door open he's likely to receive an unexpected visit from Leamy, Quinlan and O'Callaghan.

One that he's not likely to forget. However, he's not as important to Toulouse as ROG is to Munster.

The reaction in Leinster to Munster's road to Cardiff has been a tad, shall we say, muted. According to Leinster Rugby's Supporters Club chairman Tarquin Barker-Caven, most Leinster fans won't even be watching.

"It's going to be a horror show.

"Knoxy" might be a bit of a loose cannon, but he's right about Munster. They're so, like negative and whatever. What's the point in getting to finals and winning cups if you're not going to play really attractive rugby like Leinster.

"One thing Munster and Toulouse have in common is if rugby wasn't professional they'd all be tossing pig-s*** around farms for a living.

"We've got far too much to do to watch a whole load of muck savages fighting over a cup whose sponsor has more in common with round ball, shiny-jerseyed knacks from scobi land. Anyway, we're all off to like, Nice with a barrel load of Magners."

Whatever about Deccy's unflappably cool head, some of the hardcore Munster fans have been feeling the pressure and while there are hundreds travelling without tickets, one lad remains cocksure of bagging himself a place in the stand.

Gerry Fahy - Munster's life-long devotee, said yesterday: "I wouldn't give a toss if this match was on in Fort Knox, I'd be there. I wouldn't fly either. I've never flown anywhere, except by plane. Flying is for those Leinster 'Nancy Boys' with their iPods. It's the ferry for me every time and if I couldn't get a ferry I'd swim over to feck! But, unlike those Leinster langers, we've played so many finals in Cardiff at this stage I'm thinking of moving over there altogether. Cardiff's a grand spot . . . apart from the Welsh."

No doubt the match itself will be a humdinger. My prediction? Munster to win and to put "Opportunity Knox" back in his box. "John Hayes - ligind!" Well, who could deny him the last word?

"Add in the maestro at number 10 and they look unbeatable. If he stays out of trouble that is. While it may be as obvious as the noses on Pelous' face, I'd wager the Toulouse hard men are certain to try and "take care" of ROG