So much for the French unpredictability. The world and its mother knew Racing 92 would take a scalpel to the side that earned a losing bonus point away to Toulon in last week’s domestic fixture and the reigning Top 14 champions duly performed significant surgery.

Whether it was a brave face or genuine optimism from Rassie Erasmus this week, the feelgood vibes emanating from Munster’s director of rugby ahead of tomorrow’s Champions Cup opener in Paris could evaporate in a heartbeat if his side fails to rise to the occasion.

Saracens became the first English club to conquer Europe for nine years as Owen Farrell kicked them to Champions Cup glory.

Johnny Sexton fully expects Ronan O’Gara to become a Munster coach in the future now that the former Ireland out-half is making an impact at Racing 92.

New Year’s resolutions? Don’t believe in them, writes Ronan O’Gara

Toulon are after winning the European Cup for the third year in a row and owner Mourad Boudjellal has a cheque book which could sign any player in the world, but inside the dressing room Paul O’Connell is the one they want. 

Toulon made rugby union history at Twickenham as they clinched a hat-trick of European titles by defeating fellow French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne 24-18 in the Champions Cup final.

This may be the Rugby Champions Cup’s inaugural season, but the feeling this weekend, as the two semi-finals are contested on French soil, is one of familiarity, given the identities of the four clubs involved.

Simon Lewis takes a look at how Toulon and Leinster compare as they face each other in the European Champions Cup semi-final.

Leinster can have the beating of Toulon if they can get it right in three areas, says Bernard Jackman.

European Champions Cup Pool 3

The pressure eased slightly on coach Fabien Galthie as Montpellier ended a run of seven successive defeats with a thrilling 23-20 victory over Toulouse in their Top 14 clash on Saturday.

Ulster 13 Toulon 23

Four times his Grenoble side have played Toulon, three times they’ve won. The secret is simple.

Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

Saracens 12 Toulon 24

WITH just four teams qualified at this stage and all the second-placed sides still mathematically fighting for the knockout stages, the Heineken Cup has delivered once again.

Toulon 45 Cardiff 25

THERE are those of us who remember the very first Munster clash with Castres in the inaugural Heineken Cup way back in 1995 under lights in the nearby town of Mazamet because the host club didn’t have the required facilities at Stade Pierre Antoine.

Simon Lewis looks at the battle ahead

All the evidence may point to Castres running up the white flag in Limerick today but Munster have plenty of reasons to expect yet another tough challenge on a crucial afternoon of Heineken Cup rugby at Thomond Park.

NORTHAMPTON coach Jim Mallinder has questioned the consistency of refereeing in the Heineken Cup after his side suffered a crushing defeat at sunny Stade Pierre Antoine.

Castres 41 Northampton 22

Castres 24 Munster 27

MUNSTER’S hopes of continuing their winning start in Heineken Cup Pool 1 received an eve-of-game boost yesterday when Castres Olympique rang the changes to their starting line-up for today’s clash at Stade Ernest Wallon.

After snatching a dramatic victory over Northampton Saints, Tony McGahan has opted for the same starting XV for Saturday's Heineken Cup meeting with Castres Olympique in Stade Ernest-Wallon (3.40pm Irish time).

Scarlets 31 Castres 23

Castres 21 Edinburgh 16

Castres 21 Wasps 15

Castres 18 Leinster 15

Leinster 33 Castres 3

THE sight of French opposition this week is likely to spark one or two conflicting memories for Brian Blaney as Castres arrive in Dublin to take on Leinster in Pool Two.

ALL BLACK hopeful Kieran Read has failed to make Graham Henry’s 26-man squad for the Test series against Ireland and England and the Philips Tri Nations.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry claimed his side will need to improve before the World Cup quarter-finals despite their impressive form in the pool stages.

New Zealand 85 Romania 8

NEW ZEALAND have recalled their big stars for Sunday’s World Cup Pool C clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

AH, IT’S tough being an All Black. Nearly two weeks they had to endure on the beach-front Sofitel Palm Beach hotel, getting ready for their World Cup opener against Italy in Marseille, before being whisked off 200 miles north by TGV to the old city of Lyon, and the luxury Mercure Perrache, where Portugal and another big win awaited.

THEY’RE a different bunch, these All-Blacks, a different bunch also their supporters, different to us anyway.

New Zealand 108 Portugal 13

A MAJOR talking point in the lead-up to the All Black’s game against Portugal on Saturday has been the physical disparity between the teams.

New Zealand have been forced to make late changes to their side for tomorrow’s World Cup Pool C encounter with Italy in Marseille.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry will keep faith with the bulk of his Tri-Nations winning-squad when the World Cup favourites pursue glory in France this autumn.