BARNEY SPENDER: ‘Don’t expect these guys just to roll over’
After all, Munster are on their home turf, where no French team has ever sniffed victory in 20 attempts, and have everything to gain in the shape of a place in the last eight.
The Parisians, meanwhile, who have all but shrugged off speculation linking Jonny Sexton with a move to the French capital, have nothing to play for but professional pride.
Defeat by Saracens in Nantes last week means they have no chance of progressing, even into the knockout stages of the Amlin Cup.
As a result the coach Gonzalo Quesada has named a side that includes a number of players who have been kicking their heels on the fringes this season.
Former Munster prop Julien Brugnaut, ex-Springbok number eight Jacques Cronje, who captains the side, and English stand-off Ollie Barkley will be the most familiar names in the line-up but the Munster men will underestimate Racing at their peril.
“There are a few guys playing who haven’t had much of a chance, but we are sending a good team,” insists Cronje who played a key role in Racing’s surprise 22-17 win over Munster at the Stade de France in the opening round of this year’s tournament.
“It is an opportunity for the guys who are coming in to stake a claim in the Top 14. Munster is one of the biggest teams in Europe and Thomond Park is a famous stadium so it is a privilege to play. An honour and an opportunity. So don’t expect these guys just to roll over.”
Still able to summon the spirit of the 1992 Racing team — this was before the 2001 merger with US Metro — which won the French championship final, wearing pink bowties and drinking champagne at the half-time break, this is a side that can be absolutely dreadful or truly inspiring.
At the moment they are on something of a high despite last weekend’s defeat by Saracens. Going into that game they had travelled down to Johnny Wilkinson’s Toulon and tugged the tiger’s tail, winning a gripping game 19-15.
It was an outstanding performance that indicated they have the capacity to compete with the very best. They are currently ninth in the Top 14 but only seven points off the top six who will compete in the end of season play-offs — and qualify for next season’s Heineken Cup.
However, not one of that starting XV at Toulon will begin in Limerick while only Fijian wing Sireli Bobo and flanker Antoine Battut survive from the Saracens match.
Their next Top 14 match against Bordeaux on Friday is certainly the top priority but Quesada does see today’s match as a chance to maintain the team’s momentum.
“I am expecting them to continue this collective dynamic that we have had since our match against Agen (at the end of December).
“Against Saracens and in spite of our defeat there were some very good things. Even if that wasn’t obvious, it is important that this team continues to progress.”
For that progress to include a win in Limerick, though, is surely asking too much.
“Munster is almost an international squad,” says Cronje who made his international debut against Ireland in Bloemfontein in 2004 and went on to play three Tests in Dublin.
“To play them is like playing a Test match. So you have to prepare as if you are going into a Test. But I am certainly looking forward to it. It will be my first game at Thomond Park.
“I have played elsewhere in Ireland and done ok. I played for the Blue Bulls when we beat Ulster at Ravenhill, beat Connacht in a Springboks warm-up game and lost to Leinster with Racing a couple of years ago. So this kind of completes the set. I have heard the atmosphere is awesome, maybe a bit intimidating but an experience.
“Irish supporters in general, though, are very passionate, very noisy and always behind their team. But they are rugby lovers as well so if you go for a drink after a game they all want to talk and they are great fun.”
Sadly, there won’t be time for that tonight. The Racing side flies straight back to Paris after the game to prepare for that all-important match against Bordeaux.
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