France holds no fear for us - O'Gara

Munster fly-half Ronan O’Gara is happy to take on Toulouse this weekend at their own game of running rugby.

The two sides meet in the French city on Saturday afternoon in the Heineken Cup semi-final with warm-weather conditions in the south of France calling out for an exhibition of expansive rugby.

Whereas in previous years the thought would have given Irish sides an inferiority complex against their traditionally cavalier French opponents, O’Gara believes new coach Alan Gaffney has added powerful weaponry to the Munster armoury.

“I think in fairness to the coaches this year we’ve expanded our game and fellas know what they’re doing off the ball as well as the fellas that have the ball,” O’Gara said.

“I think it’s an element we probably weren’t too aware of in previous seasons but now everyone, one to 15, wants the ball and if it’s gone wide they know what they’re doing.

“So that’s something we’ve probably added this year.”

Facing Toulouse in their own back yard also holds no fears for a Munster side facing their fourth straight semi-final on French soil.

They beat the French giants 31-25 in Bordeaux three seasons ago, were controversially beaten 16-15 by Stade Francais in Lille the following year before reaching last year’s final against Leicester having beaten Stade Francais in Paris and Castres in Beziers.

O’Gara said: “With the advent of European rugby we have become very experienced at travelling, be it at international level or with Munster.

“The thought of travelling to France doesn’t frighten any of us. It’s been a good place for us, although obviously the disappointment in Lille sticks in the back of your mind.

“But we’re looking forward to the conditions on Saturday with the temperatures in the 20s. It will be very taxing for the forwards but for back lines these are the conditions you enjoy playing in and keeping the ball in hand.”

It was that kind of a day when Munster secured victory over Toulouse in 2000, with O’Gara scoring a try to finish off a wonderful move.

“It was a scrum just outside our 22,” O’Gara recalled. “A missed pass to Mike (Mullins) and then John Kelly and I think about 12 of the team got a touch on it. It was great continuity and then Dominic (Crotty) broke the line and I was on his inside shoulder. All I had to do was just touch it down to be honest. Simple as that.

“But it kind of got the ball rolling for us. Expectations weren’t as high as they are nowadays and it’s obviously going to be more difficult this weekend.

“Three years ago it was an outstanding victory for everyone involved. Jason Holland got an intercept try after that and we won quite convincingly in the end. It was an extremely difficult day but it was one of the top days for Munster without doubt.”

Another victory this weekend will ensure another entry in the annals of Munster rugby folklore but O’Gara is not expecting a Saturday afternoon stroll in the sunshine.

“There’s huge respect between the two teams. Munster have done well in the last three seasons and Toulouse are probably one of the most consistent sides in the competition.

“They’re packed with good players throughout the pitch and it will be the same approach as we took into the Leicester game two weeks ago.

“It’s a very difficult challenge and it’s going to be about which team performs best in the conditions on the day.”