Last chance saloon as Munster look to get back on track
That was clearly a lesson well learned. In subsequent seasons, they went on to overcome Padova, Pontypridd, Newport and Castres in the first match on the way to reaching, at the very least, the quarter-finals. Today, having lost to Gloucester, they find themselves in a virtual last chance saloon as they take on Perpignan in front of a full house of 11,900 at Thomond Park. Five years ago, Munster had a chance to redeem themselves when Cardiff came to Musgrave Park for the second game.
Again, Munster were beaten, this time by 43-23.
It was the only defeat they have ever suffered in the competition on home soil. Does a similar fate await them today as they find themselves in a rare, early season must-win situation?
In a sense, their entire year will be governed by 80 minutes this afternoon.
Coach, Alan Gaffney has been at great pains to play down the battering confidence took last week at Kingsholm and indeed the significance of the injury plague that has deprived him of seven of his squad. He also acknowledges that Perpignan represent extremely dangerous opposition and that anything other than an authoritative performance in front of a packed Thomond Park crowd will be insufficient.
“There’s no carryover from the Gloucester, none at all”, he insists. “Gloucester deserved their win but having studied the video there were some tight and some not so tight decisions that went against us. The boys have shipped a lot of unjustified criticism this week but I think it’s a good thing that we have such quality opposition as Perpignan immediately after last week. It’s a huge challenge and there’s nothing this team likes better than a challenge”.
Munster are fully aware that they must win today and pick up full points from their home and away games in December against the Italian side Viadana to set themselves up for the return matches against Perpignan and Gloucester in January.
Viadana should be little more than a pushover but what happens in those games will count for little unless the right result is achieved today. Perpignan didn’t look any great shakes in beating the Italians 46-27 last week although they did eventually run in seven tries having led 15-6 at half time. They are not a side over endowed with big names and indeed the only Internationals in today’s squad are the Canadian number eight Phil Murphy and the Italian prop Alejandro Moreno. Even he lined out at hooker against Viadana.
They have made two changes from last week’s squad. Prop Stephane De Bescombes was excused so that he could attend the birth of his child and he now returns to the exclusion of Pascal Meya, who came in as a second half replacement. Winger Farid Sid was rested against Viadana and is now preferred to the Australian Ed Carter. They leave Perpignan for Shannon at 8 o’clock this morning and return shortly after the match.
Meanwhile, Alan Gaffney had little choice in naming his squad given the serious injury situation. There was further bad news on the Rob Henderson front yesterday when his damaged bicep turned out to be worse than originally thought and he is most unlikely to wear the red jersey again this season unless the sides makes the knock-out stages. Jason Holland stands in for Henderson and otherwise there is no change from Munster.
MUNSTER: J. Staunton; J. Kelly, M. Mullins, J. Holland, M. Lawler; R. O’Gara, P. Stringer; M. Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, M. Galwey, M. O’Driscoll, J. Williams (capt), A. Quinlan, A. Foley.
Replacements - J. Blaney, S. Kerr, E. Halvey, D. Leamy; M. Prendergast, D. Crotty, K. Keane.
PERPIGNAN (probable): M. Edmonds; P. Bomati, C. Manas, N. Couttet, F. Cermeno; N. Laharrague, J. Basset; R. Peillard, A. Moreno, N. Mas, R. Alvarez, J. Daniell, S. Deroeux, B. Goutta capt, P. Murphy.
Replacements: V. Debathy, S. De Bescombes, N. Mas, F. Rofes; D. Marty, C. Manas, B. Bellot.
Referee: T. Spreadbury (England).
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