Munster must target Contepomi

SUFFICE to say we have never seen an inter-provincial to match this one.

The fear of failure in Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final is far too great to contemplate, and that’s only from the supporters’ perspective.

For the past seven years, Munster have been the standard bearers for Irish rugby in Europe. Age-old rivals Leinster, despite some significant victories over that period themselves, have been left on the outside looking in. That feeling of “also rans” has been a source of anguish for all in the capital city. Clearly, they are fed up of hearing about the “home of Irish rugby”.

Now, in one fell swoop, Leinster has the opportunity of rewriting the ledger. The quality of their most recent Heineken Cup performances against Bath and Toulouse has caused a nervous anxiety within the Red Army.

Last weekend’s Celtic League games provided the perfect tune-up for Sunday. While the desolate scenes in Lansdowne Road could not be further removed from the welcome that Leinster will receive on Sunday, their performance against Llanelli on Friday night was a mirror image of the strengths and weaknesses within their side.

The fragility of the lineout and the unstable nature of the scrum will offer renewed confidence to Munster. But their ability to raise their game under pressure and attack from deep through the magnificence of their back play provided a reminder of just how dangerous this Leinster outfit can be.

A few weeks ago, when Munster hosted Glasgow in Thomond Park, a fixture sandwiched between Six Nations clashes, the performance on the field and the atmosphere on the terraces was strangely muted. Last Saturday, sensing the importance of the occasion, the Munster faithful turned up early and provided a rousing send off for Anthony Foley’s men against Edinburgh.

Munster’s performance in scoring six tries against a side containing nine of Scotland’s championship team offered a timely confidence booster. Given that the hosts were forced to line out without O’Gara, Leamy, Horan and O’Leary, it was highly significant display.

As befits a local derby, familiarity provides little scope for surprise. As a result, both Michael Cheika and Declan Kidney will concentrate their efforts on negating the comparative strengths of their opponents.

Despite playing with the full deck, Leinster’s line out creaked against Llanelli. While hooker Brian Blaney looked suspect in the throwing department, there were other occasions when Leinster failed to get their jumpers in the air. Munster will look to exploit this. If Donncha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Connell can disrupt the supply of first-phase possession, the opportunities for Leinster’s outside backs will be seriously curtailed.

Likewise Cheika will appreciate that Munster’s driving maul from lineouts is a reliable source of tries. For him, the key decision is whether Leinster challenges in the air through Malcolm O’Kelly and Bryce Williams or concentrate their forces on the ground in order to negate the powerful drive. That lineout battle and the resultant phases that develop from there will be crucial to the outcome.

Another key issue will revolve around the performances of the respective out-halves. Ronan O’Gara’s build up to this game has been less than ideal, but despite the magnificence of Paul O’Connell and David Wallace, O’Gara remains the key figure in this Munster side. No doubt he is fed up of listening to the plaudits that have deservedly been placed at the feet of Felipe Contepomi. He has been Leintser’s most consistent and influential player. When the sides met in the RDS on New Year’s Eve, Contepomi ran the show. He also took it upon himself to test O’Gara’s defensive capabilities. Expect more of the same on Sunday.

Against Sale in Thomond Park, Munster won primarily because they negated the influence of Sale’s key performer Sebastian Chabal. Their philosophy was simple. If you attack the totemic figure, the knock-on effect on the rest of their team is huge. I expect the same philosophy to apply with Contepomi.

Earlier in the season at Musgrave Park, Munster attacked the Argentine star both physically and psychologically. Contepomi’s Latin temperament tends to get the better of him at times. His mental resolve will be tested on Sunday.

Throughout the season, the Leinster back line has shown that even on limited possession, they can strike from anywhere. For that reason alone, the battle at the breakdown could be the deciding factor on Sunday.

Since his return from a serious leg injury, Keith Gleeson has been outstanding in this area. It is also significant that in Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy, Leinster has auxiliary wing-forwards in their midfield. O’Driscoll, in particular, would be more than comfortable in the No. 7 jersey at the highest level.

The ability of these three, in particular, to produce quick turnover ball has provided Leinster with numerous opportunities to counter attack. With the pace they possess out wide, that can be devastating.

In this respect, both Denis Leamy and David Wallace have a huge role to play on the ground. However, they cannot perform miracles on their own. It is essential that Munster’s closest back competes with O’Driscoll and D’Arcy on the deck. Munster’s continuity coach Jim Williams has a key role to play in ensuring that Munster not only protect their own possession but are also successful in slowing the delivery of Leinster ball in contact. This would provide the vital seconds necessary to reorganise the defensive alignment.

This is a massive week for both Cheika and Kidney. The Australian has impressed me since taking over the reins last September. For Kidney, this could prove a pivotal game in his coaching career. For whatever reason, his star has waned at IRFU headquarters, which seems grossly unfair given his achievements to date.

The fractured nature of Munster’s preparation, due primarily to injury, offers Leinster a slight advantage in the build up. At this juncture it is

unclear whether Marcus Horan will be fit to play or who Munster will

select in midfield. For me, John Kelly did more than enough against Edinburgh to warrant selection alongside Trevor Halstead. Anthony Horgan and Tomas O’Leary can then fight it out for the vacant wing position.

In tight situations, Munster know exactly what is required. On so many occasions in the past, they have dug deep into that bottomless well to produce performances that seem beyond their capabilities. Given the historic significance of this game, they will be required to do so once again.

On the evidence of last weekend, you feel this is just about within them.