Stringer: Munster will be fired up

THERE might have been a time when Peter Stringer was in awe of French opposition on French soil but these days, not even the mention of a plethora of international names associated with Toulon makes the veteran Munster and Irish scrum-half shiver.

Yes, Munster head for the south of France in the full knowledge that one slip will leave them in Heineken Cup hell for the first time in 13 seasons; it is a make or break, a must-win game, but Stringer doesn’t believe it will be harder than any one of a number of previous ties his side have had to play in France.

He made it clear yesterday that Toulon won’t have to work to get Munster’s respect: “They’re a quality side, filled with quality players, and, at home, they’ll be formidable.