Munster need early Christmas bonus

DECLAN KIDNEY has been stressing all week how happy he would be to leave this evening’s Heineken Cup clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park (5.35pm) with four points.

Deep down, though, the Munster coach knows that failure to pick up a bonus point will almost certainly see Leicester Tigers reduce their lead at the top of Pool Four to three points given the powerful position they appear to be in when welcoming out of contention Bourgoin at Welford Road.

While one readily understands Kidney’s caution, it is perfectly clear that Leicester have by no means given up on qualifying for the knockout stages and that even fortress Thomond Park might not be sufficient to guarantee his side anything when they meet on January 20.

First things first, of course, and winning the game has to be the first priority. Certainly, Cardiff arrive with their sights set on finally cracking Munster’s unbeaten Heineken Cup record at Thomond Park.

Their coach, David Young, believes they have an even better chance as a result of the five changes, one positional, he has made from last Sunday’s starting XV. Predictably, Tom Shanklin moves from the wing to centre where his strength will be a vital addition to the Blues make-up in both attack and defence, while the recall of Nick MacLeod in place of Nick Robinson at out-half has been well flagged.

A calf injury has cost Gethin Jenkins his front-row place and he gives way to John Yapp, and James Goode, in spite of a spirited performance in the first game, loses out to Bradley Davies in the second row.

The most encouraging aspect to the Munster team that contains three changes is the selection of 21-year-old Darragh Hurley of UCC at loosehead prop. It was around this time last year that Kidney gave Barry Murphy of UL/Bohemian his chance, and now it’s Hurley’s turn for a first start in Europe. Physically, he has everything going for him at 6ft1 and 17-stone 8lb, and those who understand these things assure us that he is also technically very sound.

There may be some surprise at the relegation to the bench of Federico Pucciarello, although he hasn’t helped himself by one or two unnecessary visits to the sin bin.

The other alterations in the Munster side are the recall of Murphy and John Kelly for Leifemi Mafi and Tomas O’Leary. Both revert to the bench, which means that there is no spot this week for Christian Cullen or indeed Anthony Horgan. This call is particularly hard on O’Leary considering how well he performed at the Arms Park, but he is a great man to have in reserve. The 22 as a whole confirms the strength in depth available to Kidney given that others currently not available include Anthony Foley, Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan and Mick O’Driscoll.

Individually and as an entity, the Munster forwards are in terrific form and are confidently expected to provide the side with a decisive edge up front. And with a decent enough weather forecast for later today, it could be that conditions will allow Ronan O’Gara to give his three-quarters and full-back Shaun Payne the kind of attacking opportunities they have been largely denied of late.

Either way, the number 10 will run the show with his customary authority, aiming at a home victory — preferably, of course, with a bonus point.