Nothing straight-forward here

AS if dealing with extremely difficult quarter-final opposition in Northampton Saints and Clermont Auvergne wasn’t enough to keep them busy, Munster and Leinster must face up to the reality that they have also been drawn away from home, should they qualify for the semi-finals of this season’s Heineken Cup.

For now, though, Munster coach Tony McGahan will be concentrating his entire attention on the quarter-final clash against Northampton at Thomond Park over the second weekend in April. Additional spice will undoubtedly attend that occasion as it is the third meeting of the teams this season. At this level of rugby, familiarity does breed contempt.

“We have had the utmost respect for Northampton since the original draw was made and if anything that has grown after the way they took us on last Friday,” McGahan said last night. “They are a very good side. That kind of game was always going to be attritional and I thought we did very well to come out with the desired result.