Heineken Champions Cup: Munster v Toulouse, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, 3pm – Live on BT Sport 2
To win Munster must have the courage and conviction to take risks or perhaps more specifically, calculated gambles, if they are to emerge victorious from this Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final. Conservatism will not suffice; the Irish province cannot become embroiled in a staccato war of attrition on the gainline. To do so would play into the gargantuan mitts of the defending champions.
The dial of expectation is stuck in the middle when it comes to the potential outcome, many of Munster’s brave and faithful following fearful while the other half are bullish, both with justifiable cause, with the determining factor likely to be predicated on the style of play that Johann van Graan’s team adopts.
Set piece and breakdown are pivotal, Toulouse will fancy the scrum tussle, even without the human wardrobe, tighthead Charlie Faumuina, while Munster will feel that they can destabilise the French side's lineout; no one has won more lineouts or stolen more opposition throws than Peter O'Mahony.
It is great to see two excellent young prospects prop Josh Wycherley and Alex Kendellen entrusted with vital roles, both having demonstrated an aptitude to excel in a big match environment.
Munster will need to be judicious with box-kicking, kick sensibly generally, manage the game intelligently at halfback, ensure that the midfield is not a cul-de-sac for enterprise and guarantee that the back three see the type of ball to be able to fully express their talent. It is a long ‘to-do’ list but doable, nonetheless.
Toulouse, who altered their prep this week by taking the squad to Loudenvielle in the Hautes- Pyrénées, have a centre Dimitri Delibes on the right wing and a wing, Pierre Fouyssac, playing just his fifth game of the season, at outside centre.
In Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont, the European champions possess arguably the best halfback partnership in world rugby. The pack and indeed the team is led by outstanding hooker Julien Marchand, the Toulouse eight boasting size, athleticism, and brutal power. The reinforcements in a six-two bench split – the same as Munster – are also physically impressive specimens.
The bookies have the French side as five-point favourites. The priority for Munster is to play without inhibition; if they do there can be no recriminations whatever the outcome.
MUNSTER: M Haley; K Earls, C Farrell, D de Allende, S Zebo; J Carbery, C Murray; J Wycherley, N Scannell, S Archer; J Kleyn, F Wycherley; P O'Mahony (capt), A Kendellen, J O'Donoghue.
Replacements: D Barron, J Loughman, J Ryan, J Jenkins, T Ahern, C Casey, B Healy, J Daly.
TOULOUSE: T Ramos; D Delibes, P Fouyssac, P Ahki, M Lebel; R Ntamack, A Dupont; R Neti, J Marchand (capt), D Aldegheri; R Arnold, E Meafou; R Elstadt, T Flament, F Cros.
Replacements: P Mauvaka, C Baille, D Ainu'u, J Tekori, S Tolofua, A Jelonch, B Germain, M Médard.
Referee: L Pearce (England).
