Mullins set to conjure magic in the middle

MUNSTER have charged Mike Mullins with the onerous duty of unlocking the Biarritz defence in the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Biarritz tomorrow.

Mullins, who partners Rob Henderson in the middle, will hope to reproduce his best form in what will be one of the biggest challenges of his recent career.

Mullins has been confined to cameo roles for the province in recent months and was not in the shake-up for a place in the side when coach Alan Gaffney signed Brian Lima, the Samoan international, as an additional player for the knock-out stages.

But when Lima failed to turn up prior to last Friday’s Celtic League game with Gwent Dragons, Mullins was pressed into service. He did everything but persuade Gaffney of his worth with a fine performance, but still only got into the side due to Lima’s injury in midweek.

Now Gaffney is banking on him to help Munster to a shock victory.

“Our run of injuries has been unfortunate but we have to take positives out of the situation. One of those is that Mike was in top form last week. He is straining at the leash and sees this as a huge opportunity. He brings a wealth of experience to the side and, on his day, is a real game-breaker. We will need something like that against such a high quality side,” Gaffney said yesterday as the team departed from Shannon.

Given the injury situation, there were no surprises in Gaffney’s selection. It was straightforward and the only minor debate would have been whether to start Jim Williams in the back-row.

Meanwhile, former Munster skipper Mick Galwey has given Paul Burke (in for the injured Ronan O’Gara) and Mullins his vote of confidence.

Galwey accepted that O’Gara, Cullen and now Lima would be missed in their own different ways but believes the replacements are well capable of doing the job.

“Obviously we could have done with these world-class players, but Shaun Payne will be well up to the task at full-back, while Burkey and Mullins have been at the coal face before.

“These guys have huge experience and will relish the challenge. Munster may lack a bit of pace in the back division now that Cullen and Lima have been ruled out, but they can make up for that with experience.”

In any event, Galwey believes this game will be settled up front.

“There is no doubt that Munster have the talent and experience necessary to take Biarritz on in the pack. The priority will be to attack the Biarritz line-out because I feel they are vulnerable there. It will be important to get the set-pieces right and I believe they are going to do just that.

“While the backs have lost out a bit with the injuries, it will be a huge boost to have Paul O’Connell back. If anything, the rest imposed on him because of the suspension will have done him good. Having put himself about quite a bit throughout the Six Nations, a week away from the action won’t have done him any harm at all.

“I’m confident that the Munster international contingent will come back with a bigger appetite. There is nothing better than a kick in the pants to focus the mind and Ireland didn’t perform in the last two matches so this one takes on a bigger meaning for the Munster lads.

“I would expect to see big performances from Anthony Foley and Paul (O’Connell). I also think that Marcus Horan, Frankie Sheahan and Donncha O’Callaghan, all of whom saw limited action for Ireland, can have their say. Then you have guys like Quinny (Alan Quinlan) and Wally (David Wallace), who’ll be chomping at the bit.

“They will be jumping out of their skins once they put on the jersey.

“It’s all about fronting up to the challenge and I’m sure the Munster pack will rise to the challenge. Munster have been down many rocky roads before, played in matches where nobody gave them a prayer and came out the other end smiling. This team is due a big performance and I have no doubt they will throw down the gauntlet to Biarritz.

“In a sense, it’s a happy position to be in where nobody expects a victory. The fact that Ireland lost the last two games of the season will galvanise the players and give them even more incentive to do well. Anyway, why should they fear Biarritz? Why should they fear playing in Spain? Munster have never lost to Biarritz and they have never lost a game in Spain!”

Munster have opened a fax line for supporters wishing to pass on good wishes. The number is 0034-943-212428.