Here to win not Toulouse
Dressed in traditional red, 14,000 Munster fans will add to the festive air in “la ville rose” - the pink city.
However, they won’t be looking through rose-tinted glasses - knowing too well the Real Madrid of club rugby stand between Munster and a dream final in Lansdowne Road.
Toulouse, like Munster, lays claim to the title of being the true rugby capital of its country.
Fans from all parts of Ireland made their way by plane, train and automobile, via England, Belgium and Spain to get to Toulouse.
Around 30 charter flights carrying almost 7,000 passengers are due to arrive in Toulouse over the weekend. Another 7,000 fans were making their way from as far away as Greece and Sweden.
“We’ve never seen such an influx of sports fans, not even during the 98 World Cup,” said an airport spokesperson.
Most supporters have forked out at least 600 to witness what will hopefully be another magical chapter in this year’s campaign after wins over Gloucester and Leicester.
One of the main focal points for the pre-match celebrations last night was the Killarney pub - a regular haunt for Toulouse’s favourite Irishman, the home team’s back-row forward, Trevor Brennan, who has achieved iconic status in this rugby heartland.
“Munster: 15 Brennans against Toulouse,” screamed the headline in the local paper, La Depeche du Midi, yesterday.
“I’m happy to come up again against my old adversaries,” joked Brennan. “These guys are always following me around.”
Fans looking for an omen looked nervously at the signs of the Zodiac that are a central part of Toulouse’s main square, the Place du Capitole.
“Toulouse to lose” has a nice ring about it as a horoscope for today’s kick-off at 2pm Irish time.
Leinster will hopefully make it an all-Ireland final when they take on Perpignan in Sunday’s second semi-final - kick-off at 3.45pm
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