Munster hoping for favour from Blues

MUNSTER will be hoping Cardiff Blues see off Ulster at Ravenhill this weekend as the Heineken Cup finalists want to surpass Ulster and finish at least second placed of the Irish teams in the Celtic League.

Munster, who meet the Ospreys at Liberty Park on Friday night, would much prefer to be in pole position and in control of their own destiny, but right now they’re looking to others, as much as themselves, to achieve that.

Munster’s Heineken Cup exploits will count for nothing later this year when the draw is made. They’re guaranteed qualification, but if they finish behind Celtic League leaders Leinster and Ulster, their seeding will be the least attractive of the three Irish teams.

This weekend could be the defining one; Munster and Ulster with games in hand over leaders Leinster and third placed Blues.

In the battle for the title, Leinster have 64 points from 19 games, Ulster have 60 from 18, the Blues have 58 from 19 and Munster are just a point behind after playing 18.

On the assumption that Cardiff could pull a stroke, the Blues will move beyond Ulster into second place with 64 or 65 (if they get a bonus point) points.

Indeed, Cardiff could take over at the top after an amazing resurgence but, of course, they would then have to wait for Leinster’s result against Glasgow on Sunday.

Leinster, after an emphatic 46-22 win over the Warriors in Dublin a few months ago, have the capacity to repeat that success — particularly given the fact that Glasgow have lost their last five league games. But it could be an anxious wait for all concerned in the build-up to the last couple of ties.

The highlight of round 20 might be Ulster and Cardiff’s clash, but Munster will be seriously involved as well.

The weekend’s activity opens on Friday, when one-time challengers Edinburgh Gunners meet Connacht at the Sportsground, and the Irish side will be seeking a sixth successive home win.

Munster travel to meet the Ospreys, who have failed to record a win over the Irish side since September 2004.

Llanelli Scarlets, Munster’s opponents at Stradey Park on Tuesday (the match postponed from last month), will be looking for a return to form when they face Border Reivers in Saturday’s only game.

Cardiff finish the season with matches against three of the four Irish provinces and have already claimed the scalp of Connacht last Saturday.

The Blues are in the midst of their best ever winning run in the Celtic League with six straight victories since their last reversal: 9-13 at home to Edinburgh on January 27.

Leinster will announce their squad today, and an extended Munster squad for the two matches in Wales will also be named.