HEINEKEN CUP PREVIEW Munster v Toulon:IF MUNSTER rugby is defined by one quality then it would be obduracy, a bloody mindedness that mocks those who dare to pen premature obituaries. Their Heineken Cup lore is littered with examples of defying the odds in the face of conventional wisdom.
Last week at the Madejski Stadium, they were outmuscled for large tranches of the match but as they have done so many times in the past, they unearthed a solution to their travails. Sam Tuitupou’s late try allowed them to return home with a precious bonus point.
In London, it was Ronan O’Gara, whose intuitive and deftly executed grubber kick unlocked a previously parsimonious London Irish defence. Munster, though, won’t want to have to delve so deeply today.
Tuitupou has joined Lifeimi Mafi on the sidelines, forcing coach Tony McGahan to switch Johne Murphy from fullback to inside centre. His footballing ability should allow him to cope with the increased rigidity of his new role. Paul Warwick returns to the starting team but perhaps not with the orthodox remit of the fullback duties.
When Munster have been at their most fluent this season, Warwick and O’Gara have mixed and matched as first receiver in broken play; it keeps the other team guessing. However, to allow them to enjoy that pivotal influence, the pack is going to have to rediscover an abrasive edge that appeared dull in the collisions of last weekend’s game.
Munster are shaping to return to more primary instincts with the inclusion of Mick O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan and David Wallace; the latter simply outstanding when introduced as a replacement against London Irish. The basic tenets of building any momentum is sound set-pieces and the home side need an appreciable improvement in scrum and lineout.
Toulon coach Phillipe Saint-André knows his forwards must match the fervour of the home eight. He’s made swingeing changes from the side that escaped against the Ospreys. It’s easier to name the three players who are retained from last week: right wing Paul Sackey, centre Mali Kefu and Wallaby icon George Smith.
Saint-André has bolstered his pack by including former All Black colossus Carl Hayman at tighthead prop and Springbok and captain Joe van Niekerk at number eight. After a long injury lay-off, former Bourgoin hooker Jean-Philippe Genevois starts.
Felipe Contepomi is named at outhalf with Jonny Wilkinson on the bench. The Argentine playmaker is likely to seek space out wide to utilise the pace of Sackey and the returning Kiwi Rudi Wulf; a finisher of some ability. Contepomi will look to operate close to the gain-line and test the tackle. His strength and sleight of hand can make him tough to contain. Munster know that the easier way to negate his influence is to starve the French side of possession or make it of such poor quality that Toulon are forced to punt it away. The home side must play with a bristling intensity while at the same time retaining their discipline.
Jerry Flannery is included among the replacements and on that bench Munster have players like Niall Ronan, Donnacha Ryan and James Coughlan who can make an impact when the match breaks up a little in the latter stages. There may be a role for Duncan Williams, a scrumhalf with an eye for a gap and the self-belief to pursue it.
It’s time for Munster to do what they do best: turn up and play.
MUNSTER: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, J Murphy, D Hurley; R O'Gara, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace, D Leamy (capt). Replacements: J Flannery, M Horan, J Hayes, D Ryan, J Coughlan, N Ronan, D Williams, St Deasy.
TOULON: C Marienval; P Sackey, M Kefu, F Auelua, R Wulf; F Contepomi, P Mignoni; L Emmanuelli, JP Genevois, C Hayman; J Suta, K Chesney; G Smith, J El Abd, J van Niekerk (capt). Replacements: M Ivaldi, S Taumoepeau, D Kubriashvili, O Missoup, G Lovobalavu, J Wilkinson, L Magnaval, D Schofield.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) HC
2010-2011 results so far: London Irish 23 Munster 17; Toulon 19 Ospreys 14.
Leading points scorers: Munster, Ronan O'Gara 12. Toulon, Jonny Wilkinson 14.
Verdict: Munster.
