Noon: Munster have a lot to prove

BRIVE centre Jamie Noon believes the manner in which Munster react to an unfamiliar scenario for them will be the key to the outcome of the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday.

Tony McGahan’s charges will make a first journey to the Stade Amédée-Domenec in central France for their last-eight clash in Europe’s second-tier competition, something of a jarring change for a side who have spent the past 12 seasons negotiating the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup.

Experienced England centre Noon, now part of the furniture at Brive since his 2009 move from Newcastle, is pitching his side as underdogs but reckons the mental approach may be easier for the hosts.