TIMES ARE as tough in Limerick as they are anywhere else and, by all accounts, there is nothing like the traditional stampede for tickets despite this being just the kind of fixture that typifies Munster’s umbilical links to this competition.
Admittedly those memorable Irish-Anglo tea-time Saturday evening match-ups have usually been reserved for January but Munster’s hour of need is every bit as great for this opener.
And, partly with that return meeting in Milton Keynes come January in mind, rarely can one recall Munster looking quite so vulnerable as they embark on another Heineken Cup campaign.
Take the bare stats. Whereas Munster appear to be a fading European force, who failed to qualify from the pool for the first time in 13 years last season, Northampton (who have qualified for four seasons in a row and were 40 minutes from winning the Cup last May) are very much a coming force.
The two sides have shared two wins apiece, dating back to Northampton’s 9-8 win in the 2000 decider which marked the dawn of Munster’s Holy Grail, and the three clashes two seasons ago. Although Munster levelled the series at two-all with a handsome quarter-final win here, Northampton will ride cockily into the citadel as confidently as they did when pushing Munster all the way in a titanic 12-9 win on the last pool weekend.
Only six of that Munster starting XV will line up at the kick-off, and seven of the missing nine (plus Paul Warwick and Iain Dowling) were experienced internationals. Undoubtedly in transition, they look strikingly callow by comparison today.
Admittedly, Tony McGahan has made some eye-catching changes, amongst five in total, to the team beaten by Leinster in further opting for youth. So it is that Danny Barnes (promoted to outside centre ahead of Will Chambers) and Peter O’Mahony (with Niall Ronan surprisingly retained ahead of Denis Leamy in the backrow reshuffle) join fellow Academy graduate Conor Murray in making their Cup debuts.
Denis Hurley replaces the injured Keith Earls on the wing, while Donncha O’Callaghan also makes way as Donnacha Ryan moves to the secondrow, with James Coughlan restored to the backrow. It’s worth noting too that the replacements include four Irish internationals, with John Hayes in line to become the first player to reach 100 appearances in the competition.
Northampton coach Jim Mallinder has boldly opted for the playmaking skills of Ryan Lamb ahead of Steve Myler at outhalf in their typically potent mix and they’ll bring their brutishly strong scrum and pack, along with a hard-running midfield and as sharp a cutting edge as any around with the deadly Ben Foden and the prolific Chris Ashton.
In the face of this, Munster’s scrum has clearly improved with the addition of BJ Botha, as has their lineout and maul since Anthony Foley also assumed the duties of forwards’ coach.
Thus, this looks like a return to the old days, with Munster requiring a monumental effort from their pack and yet another vintage 80 minutes of game management and pinpoint tactical kicking and place-kicking from Ronan O’Gara.
He and the in-form Paul O’Connell and co will have been cooking up one of their spiciest dishes for this one, as will the faithful, on the Bull’s big day.
This one is a little down to faith, maybe even a little blind faith, but proven faith nonetheless.
Verdict: Munster to win
Tonight, kick-off– 6pm Thomond Park Live on Sky Sports 1
