‘A monster of Europe’ comes crashing down

THERE is a long way to go this season but Munster’s premature exit from European competition means there will be plenty of time for reflection.

“It’s a pertinent question and a realistic one,” McGahan replied. “This group has gone through a lot of time together and we’re certainly making subtle changes to the playing group and I think that’s where we’ve been at over the last two years.

“But we need to deal with where we’re at and we need to get results for the rest of the year.”

So on it goes, relentlessly, starting with the visit of London Irish this week.

“We need to get back on with business this week. We’re playing at home, last game and we need to finish off the campaign as well as we can and then we have a six-week break with the Six Nations and we need to regroup and make sure we put a front on for the Magners League.

“To be only competing for one trophy is certainly an unusual situation for everyone concerned.”

Despite being one of the richest clubs in Europe, Toulon were experiencing their first Heineken Cup campaign and now they have brought an end to an era for Munster. Deservedly so, said McGahan.

“I think they’re a very good side and they’ve proven that in their Top 14. And not just this year but over last year, their form through the Amlin Challenge (Cup) and the way they’ve played, the style of rugby they’ve played, they’re certainly a lot more wiser after being in that and you can see them building as each game’s gone on in the Heineken Cup.

“You don’t make the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup without having a lot of good things going for you.”

McGahan knows that better most but it’s just the beginning for Philippe Saint-Andre as he takes Toulon into a new world.

“This is fantastic, it’s our first time in Heineken Cup, it was a tough group and to be qualified after five games is amazing,” the Toulon director of rugby said.

“To beat Munster, Ospreys twice, London Irish is a fantastic achievement. It’s just a game of rugby but I was very proud of my players, their passion and they played so well. We were smashed in Munster and we nearly smashed them now.”

Toulon had been humbled at Thomond Park in October but things are definitely looking up for them now as they top Pool Three heading into a final game at Ospreys with qualification already in the bag.

Yet nothing was as sweet for Saint-Andre as beating a pedigree name like Munster.

“I beat them once with Sale, and we were English champions and I hope this will be the same this year for Toulon,” he said referring to the Top 14 campaign in France.

“I said all week, guys, we don’t have any pressure on us. Munster, they are in Heineken Cup quarter-final for the last 12 years so if we’d have lost it would be normal and if we win it’s a fantastic achievement. And we were at home. Normally when you have to do something special it’s away, so we didn’t have any pressure, just a positive pressure, to enjoy to play and beat a monster of Europe.”