Rugby: Scrum is the key - Clohessy

Munster prop Peter Clohessy believes the Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Stade Francais will be decided in the scrum.

Most Irish eyes will be on the French side’s evasive Italian fly-half Diego Dominguez or French full-back Christophe Dominici.

But Limerick forward Clohessy has no hesitation in pinpointing where he believes the tie will be won and lost.

He said: "I definitely think that this match will be won in the scrum and if we can win that or hold our own then it will be a huge help to us.

"Other than that I think we are well capable of matching them everywhere else.

"At the end of the day it will come down to the scrums and the discipline on the field for penalties because Dominguez will kick them from all over the place."

The ability of Munster’s scrum to withstand the power of their continental counterparts has been repeatedly called into question in the days leading up to the fixture.

John Hayes has had to deal with constant media criticism over his scrummaging technique since his emergence in the Munster side, and with the injuries to Alan Quinlan and David Wallace, the perception is that the Munster pack is more vulnerable than ever before.

However, Clohessy is playing down the suggestions that Stade will expose a lack of experience and ability around the fringes at the weekend.

He said: "They’ll probably be looking at it like that but sometimes it doesn’t work out that easy.

"Just where you think you can have the upper hand can backfire on you."

Discipline will be of crucial importance in Lille and the Irish international is well aware that he has not always seen eye to eye with referees in the past, but feels that after so many years of rugby, this is an aspect of his game that has improved.

"I suppose the lack of discipline was part of my game in earlier years that cost me dearly so it’s been on my conscience a lot," Clohessy confessed with a laugh.

"But that’s something that I’ve made a conscious decision on to improve. I suppose it’s a part of getting older too."

Perhaps the greatest threat to Munster’s hopes of reaching a second European final in two years is the current spate of injury concerns.

Peter Stringer and David Wallace were extremely doubtful prior to this week’s preparations but with John Kelly picking up a sore hamstring, the situation is becoming even bleaker.

Clohessy’s reaction to the supposed crisis is perhaps typical of Munster’s determination to march on whatever the day may bring.

It is an attitude that has served them well through two years of tearing up the form book, as well as many experts’ opinions.

"We’ve been working as a squad for a long time now and the feeling is that anyone who comes in is as good as the guy that’s gone out.

However, the Limerick man does concede that this year’s semi-final on French soil will probably be a greater test of Munster’s mettle than last year, when the Irish side produced a superb display in defeating Toulouse in Bordeaux.

"It’s going to be every bit as difficult, if not harder, because in fairness, Toulouse weren’t playing that well last year.

"We got them at a good time for us. Nobody expected us to do anything, as we were underdogs. This time around, Stade, I presume, won’t be taking us for granted."

'The Claw' - as he is known, is better qualified than most to be the judge of that, having played under current Stade coach John Connolly with Queensland for a year.

He said: "John is a very good coach and typical French rugby means that they could do anything from anywhere on the field, but he has them playing more of an organised game."