Munster must pack a wallop

RARELY, if ever, does the result of a big match hinge so much on the outcome of the forward battle.

Munster will emerge successfully from tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Wasps at Lansdowne Road if they can hold and ultimately overcome what appears to be an especially formidable visiting pack.

If Jim Williams and co fail in this respect, it is difficult to see anything other than a win for Warren Gatland’s men and a place in the final at Twickenham in four weeks time. It isn’t difficult to visualise Robert Howley snapping away at the heels of a dominant pack, dictating the trend with his sniping runs, linking with his estimable back-row forwards Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Paul Volley or providing out-half Alex King with the time and space to use his powerful left boot to set up field position.