Munster face into the ‘Pool of Death’ again
Munster’s triumphant 2006 skipper Anthony Foley, one of Tony McGahan’s coaching assistants, admitted that the pool would serve to firmly focus the mind on what is bound to be an extraordinarily tough campaign.
Foley remained philosophical: “I suppose, though, it’s something we’re used to by now and it certainly will focus the mind on what to expect for the season. It’s a good gauge of how hard the upcoming season is going to be.
“Toulon have an unbelievable squad and a coach, Philippe Saint Andre, whom we would have come up against in previous campaigns (with Sale). Still, it’s a new team for us to play in the competition and it’s clearly a challenge.
“It’s also going to be huge playing against London Irish; it will be interesting whether they move the game to Twickenham as Harlequins did against us a number of years ago. I’m not sure whether there is any talk about it but I would imagine it would be an option anyway.
“However, that won’t be our concern; we will be busy enough looking after ourselves for the campaign and a pool that includes the current Ospreys side is sure to be very tough. They beat us home and away this season in the Magners, so that’s really all we have to know about them, allied, of course, to the evidence of how well they played in their victory over Leinster at the RDS in the final.
“You play in Europe to play against the best players and the best teams so that will be the challenge for the boys this year; hopefully they will be well prepared and the only thing I would say is that they will be up for all of it when the time comes around.”
London Irish, who moved the all important pool game against Leinster this year, haven’t yet considered switching the game with Munster from the 24,000 capacity Madejski Stadium, although a club spokesman admitted yesterday that it was probably an option. Depending on the timing of the fixture it could, he said, yield significant financial benefit to the club.
Club coach Toby Booth was more concerned with playing matters and concurred with Foley that it was probably the toughest of the six pools.
“Normally there is a group of death and I figure Pool 3 will be that group this year. There is no denying it will be challenging but we want to be matched against the best teams in Europe and we certainly will be doing that in this one.
“Our progress in the group will be a useful benchmark on how far the club has developed in recent years. We have played Munster in pre-season matches many times and we know their calibre in the Heineken Cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ospreys coach Sean Holley reacted by saying: “We are used to tough draws after our experiences of the last couple of seasons so the strength of this one comes as no surprise to us.
“The Heineken Cup is European rugby’s elite tournament and you have to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and face some big challenges.
“This year saw our group featuring the sides who went on to become French, English and Celtic champions, plus the Italian runners-up, and it was a similar story the year before.
“Toulon were always going to be the wildcard, but the Blues showed this year that despite their star-studded squad, they are beatable. They have huge resources, though, and I’ve no doubt they will be even stronger next season.
“London Irish are a very good side, well coached and full of potential. In beating Leinster away this year, and reaching the semi-finals in 2008 where they lost narrowly to Toulouse, they have shown their capability on this stage.
“Munster are a European heavyweight and it will be good to have the big crowds and big occasions with the tradition they have. It’s a nice change not to get drawn with Leicester but, as a second tier seed, we were always going to be drawn against former winners or finalists. Everyone now has to get on and prepare for what will be another great competition.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
