O’Callaghan: Toulouse our biggest threat ever

Donncha O’Callaghan has described the April 5 Heineken Cup quarter-final against European powerhouses Toulouse as the “biggest threat ever” in Thomond Park.

The competition heavyweights have been handed a 1.30pm start on the Saturday despite the host province seeking a later slot from tournament organisers ERC and broadcast rights holders, Sky Sports.

But O’Callaghan wasn’t expressing any concerns about the kick-off of the glamour clash against the French giants.

“Kick-off time doesn’t worry me because Toulouse coming into Thomond is (probably) the biggest threat ever, a team with pedigree with class throughout.

“I don’t think we’ve ever played a team that you would be as nervous this far out from such a match but, yes, the quality and pedigree they have means it’s the biggest threat in Thomond.

“As far as time is concerned, everyone will be ready, 1pm or 8pm kick-offs won’t matter, we’ll adjust for it; we’ll be training at the right times for it so physically we will be fine.

“Timing is more important from the point of view of supporters, but on the evidence of the Edinburgh game (a Sunday afternoon slot) it didn’t matter. They were brilliant.”

Munster’s meeting with Toulouse will be the first of an exciting triple-bill of games on the Saturday with Clermont Auvergne facing Leicester in Stade Marcel-Michelin (4pm) while Ulster host Saracens at Ravenhill at 6.30pm.

The last of the quarters between Leinster and champions Toulon, is a standalone fixture on April 6 at Stade Felix Mayol at 4.30pm. All games will be broadcast live by Sky.

However, Irish Examiner columnist Donal Lenihan expressed surprise that three quarter-finals have been fixed for one day. “I would have thought it would be one on the Friday, two on Saturday and one Sunday.

“I’m sure Munster will be delighted to have a home quarter-final but 1.30pm is very early. From a supporters point of view I would have thought that Munster would have earned a 6pm slot on the Saturday, but they appear to have got the raw end of the stick from broadcasters over the last two or three years. They’ve have two Sunday early games this year and now it’s 1.30pm on a Saturday, I’m sure everyone would have preferred a later evening game.”