Munster sweat as Tuitupou in alleged spear tackle citing
Centre Tuitupou was cited for an alleged spear tackle on London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson during Saturday’s 23-17 defeat in Reading.
He faces a ban of between three and ten weeks if found guilty at a European Rugby Cup disciplinary hearing in Dublin tomorrow.
A maximum ban would force Tuitupou out of the back-to-back ties with Heineken Cup opponents Toulon.
Meanwhile, captain Denis Leamy has branded the clash with the French big spenders this Saturday as a “must win” game.
Both sides scored just a single try in their opening matches as predictions of this being a “Pool of Death” received early confirmation.
“We did get a losing bonus point and I guess that is something but we were disappointed with the result,” said Leamy.
“We dug deep to get out of the massive hole we had created and get that losing bonus point.
“That is a positive but really, it was four points lost and it will be a big challenge against Toulon at Thomond Park.”
Head Coach Tony McGahan echoed the words of his skipper.
“Heineken Cup history shows that in such a competitive Pool you need to win your home games but if you can fight your away games and come away with a minimum of a losing bonus point that is very important.
“It puts a lot of pressure on the home side to get a result – but that is the beauty of the Heineken Cup and why it is a great competition.
Despite a couple of barren years, Leamy insists the belief they can lift the trophy for a third time is as strong as ever.
“There is the belief we can go all the way, there is a huge belief in our side,” he said.
* TICKETS for Munster’s Heineken Cup Pool game against Toulon at Thomond Park this Saturday are completely sold out.
There are still tickets available for Munsters next Magners League game against Treviso on Friday 22nd October at Thomond Park, as well as for this Friday night’s British & Irish Cup game in Waterford versus Llanelli.
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