Pichot out but Gaffney still worried about Stade

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney remains a worried man despite the loss by Stade Francais of key-figure Augustin Pichot for tomorrow's Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.

The hugely influential Argentinean scrum-half has been unable to train since injuring his back in last weekend's French league win over Pau and was yesterday ruled out of the trip to Limerick.

But Gaffney warned of the dangers presented by his replacement, Gregory Mahe, who is highly rated within the Stade Francais camp.

Mahe is of similar height to Pichot but a stone heavier and has already had exposure in this year's Heineken Cup.

He played in the pool games against Ulster and Gwent Dragons and the 23-year-old has been groomed to eventually take over from Pichot, who is eight years his senior.

Gaffney observed: "If I were Nick Mallett I would be bitterly disappointed to lose a player of that class and experience. But the fact remains that Nick has a hugely experienced squad from which to choose.

"Mahe has been kept out of the side by an absolutely magnificent player, a guy who has produced the goods for his club and country over a long number of seasons. This is his chance to make a mark on the European Cup and we've seen young guys come in at various levels before and make that mark.

"Pichot will be a loss but I wouldn't see it as a major blow for Stade because they are a really good side. In some ways, perhaps, it might make our job even more difficult because less is known about his replacement."

Stade coach Mallett could not disguise his disappointment at losing such an experienced player but vowed not to dwell on it. "Pichot's absence is a big blow for us but we've got to get on with it. These things happen and that's the way life goes," said the South African.

"Gregory has played in this competition already this season and went well, so hopefully it should work out just as well against Munster."

Winger Raphael Poulain has also been forced to pull out of the starting line-up with a calf strain and must wait to see if he is passed fit enough to take a place on the bench. Thomas Lombard, usually a centre, is moved to the wing and Stade will wait until the last minute to decide between Poulain or Stephane Glas filling one of the seven places on the bench.

However Stade, finalists in 2001, still feature five of France's Grand Slam winning squad with props Sylvain Marconnet and Pieter de Villiers, wing Christophe Dominici, centre Brian Liebenberg and captain David Auradou all named to start.

Stade, who qualified despite losing two of their first three pool games, also include Argentina full-back Ignacio Corleto, Canada lock Mike James and abrasive former French international back-row Patrick Tabacco.

Wing Christophe Dominici is looking forward to the clash. "We recognise that Thomond Park is a huge challenge, it will be difficult to cope with, but we also know that if we produce a good game we will get recognition from the supporters, even Munster supporters.

"We have to go abroad, learn from the experience and grow from there. We are cautious but not afraid of the atmosphere."

STADE FRANCAIS: I Corleto; T Lombard, JM Hernendez, B Liebenberg, C Dominici; D Dominguez, G Mahe; S Marconnet, B August, P De Villiers, D Auradou, M James, P Tabacco, P Rabadan, R Martin.

Replacements: M Blin, Po Lemoine, A Marchois, C Moni, R Poulain/S Glas, D Skrela, I Vass.