Reds to pass French test, insists O’Connell

MUNSTER captain Paul O’Connell is looking forward to his latest European challenge.

O’Connell is aware Bourgoin will take heart from last weekend’s victory over Heineken Cup finalists Biarritz in the French championship, but has no doubt that Munster can rise to the challenge.

O’Connell stressed the Magners League defeat to Gwent Dragons will not dent Munster’s confidence.

He said: “I thought we played really well in the first half of that game; we weren’t quite at full strength because we mixed our team. The team that went out there was playing really well, but we had some injuries and we were forced to make early changes which didn’t help.

“We lost our shape in the second half, but there was evidence that a number of players are coming through fast, and are capable of playing a bigger role than they might a year ago.”

O’Connell hopes injured stand-in fly half Jeremy Manning makes it back in time to join the squad.

Elaborating, he said: “He had some disappointments earlier in the season, but was shaping up really well against the Dragons when he got injured.”

“We have to put that loss to the Dragons behind us and get on with our plans to play Bourgoin.

“We’re going back into cup rugby again; into a match that’s a must win situation,” he said.

Accepting that the loss of Trevor Halstead was a blow, O’Connell believes Munster have the capacity to overcome any injury obstacles.

“Trevor has become a hugely important and influential player for us; you know what you’re going to get from him and he will be a big loss.

“But there are positives in the sense that it gives an opportunity for someone else to step up.

“No squad can possibly go through the season without injury problems. We have our share of them, and we have Alan Quinlan suspended, but we also have players coming back; guys like Anthony Foley and Denis Leamy. Overall, we’re not too badly off.”

O’Connell hinted Halstead’s replacement might well be Lifeimi Mafi, the New Zealander who signed up just a few months ago.

He said: “It’s going to be an opportunity for somebody to come in and get a shot of playing on the big stage of European Cup rugby.”

Bourgoin’s victory over Biarritz last weekend impressed O’Connell.

He said: “I watched the first half and was impressed by the way they won and retained the ball. They’re a powerful side.

“We’re expecting no favours from them. I reckon they’re targeting this game as the one to win in the Heineken Cup.”