Munster must target Biarritz chinks
The feelgood factor surrounding Irish rugby over the past few seasons has been dented of late. A positive performance and advancement in the Heineken Cup will rectify that.
Unfortunately, the road to redemption is littered with pitfalls. Over the next few days, the character of our two provincial quarter-finalists will be tested to the full. While Leinster have the reassurance of a home quarter-final, Munster and their loyal band of supporters take to the road again.
And they haven't had much fortune of late to take with them. In fact, there's a case for outlawing trips to Wales - the last two incursions have cost the province the services of Christian Cullen and Ronan O'Gara.
There was some respite with the welcome news that Paul O'Connell's ban expires in time to line out against Biarritz. The other positive surrounds the decision by the hosts to switch venues from their familiar surroundings of Parc des Sports Aguilera to the open spaces of the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian. As a result, a significant advantage has been conceded.
Munster will now have a travelling army of 10,000 in comparison to the sparse 3,000 that could have gained access in Biarritz. French players are temperamental by nature and the fact that Biarritz has never played in San Sebastian is a plus for Alan Gaffney's side.
On close examination, Munster face their biggest challenge against French opposition since playing Toulouse in that epic semi-final in Bordeaux in 2000. Indeed, victory on Sunday would surpass that achievement. Biarritz are on a roll of ten straight league victories and currently lie in second place in the French championship. They have also been boosted by the return from injury of French internationals Nicolas Brusque and Julien Peyrelonge. Last weekend, I watched them comprehensively beat a star-studded Stade Francais 41-3 on Setanta Sports. While this suggested a team in a rich vein of form, there were elements in their performance to suggest that Munster can compete on an equal footing.
Over the past few seasons, Munster's line-out has been the foundation upon which they prospered. Therefore it was hugely encouraging to see the shambolic nature of Biarritz in this most important phase of play.
Against Stade they lost nine of their 15 line-outs. While the return of French second row Jerome Thion will improve their options, the throwing of both hookers used, August and Gonzales, was extremely suspect. As a consequence, O'Connell and Donnacha O'Callaghan must attack the Biarritz throw early and often. It was also significant that Stade Francais derived a positive return from their line-out maul. Munster must look to attack in a similar fashion.
While Biarritz were hugely impressive in emerging from a pool featuring Leicester and holders Wasps, their style of play will suit Munster. They are untypically French in that they favour power over pace.
In the past, the silken skills of Toulouse behind the scrum have created havoc for Munster. Despite the presence of such accomplished attackers as Damien Traille, Nicolas Brusque, Jimmy Marlu and Philippe Bidabe, Biarritz prefer a more direct approach. Munster therefore must take on the Biarritz pack and ensure that the improvement shown in their defensive organisation this season reaches its peak on Sunday.
The other key element is the respective back rows. Biarritz has an outstanding unit in Serge Betsen, Thomas Lievremont and Imanol Harinordoquy. Yet Munster also possesses a trio of proven quality. In the absence of the injured Denis Leamy, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace and Anthony Foley will form Munster's breakaway unit.
In different circumstances, Quinlan could well be preparing himself for a trip to New Zealand with the Lions. However, his omission from the Munster side in the early pool games cost him his place in the national squad. When Quinlan is in the zone, he is an outstanding player. His abrasive nature and defensive qualities are vital but his ability to match the aerial skills of Harinordoquy in the line-out will be crucial if Munster are to advance.
David Wallace has also had a season of limited opportunity. In the absence of Leamy he now has the chance to re-launch his career. His pace and ball-carrying ability will be vital but he also needs to up his work rate.
Anthony Foley is Munster's most capped and consistent performer in the Heineken Cup. As captain, he has a huge responsibility to ensure that Munster recapture the hard edge that has driven them to success in recent seasons.
When the Munster front five was reunited for the last 20 minutes against Wales, they made an immediate impression. To have any hope of victory on Sunday, all eight must play their collective game of the season.
On their day, Biarritz can be devastating. In scrum half, Dimitri Yachvili, they have a points-scoring machine with the boot. It is crucial therefore that Munster match aggression with discipline. The absence of Ronan O'Gara is a massive blow. Up to his injury, he controlled the game against the Dragons last Friday. Paul Burke has had ample game time this season and must now grasp his opportunity with both hands. With the odds stacked firmly in Biarritz's favour, Munster must draw on every ounce of the experience they have accumulated on their Heineken Cup travels over the past six years. The ultimate challenge awaits.
On Saturday, Leinster face old rivals Leicester at Lansdowne Road. With the carrot of a home semi-final awaiting the winner, Declan Kidney's men face a huge challenge against the Zurich Premiership leaders. However, Leicester have lost their last two league games and conceded a 15-point lead to Leeds on Sunday.
As with Ireland, the potential loss of both Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan is a massive blow to Leinster. However, the option of playing Felipe Contepomi in the centre with Brian O'Driscoll offers Kidney some consolation. Likewise, Leicester are sweating over the fitness of Ben Kay, Graham Rowntree and Lewis Moody. Their availability is decisive. The likely return of Julian White at tight head is also a massive boost to John Well's team.
The mystique that surrounded the Leicester pack was blown away by their successive defeats to Biarritz in the pool stages. Their presence in the knockout stages owes much to good fortune, as they qualified as eighth seed. For Leinster to advance, it is imperative that their forwards are not bullied by Martin Johnson and Co. This game will go to the wire and victory could depend on which medical team manages to restore their injured players in time.
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