Munster face huge challenge

Munster faced one of the toughest tasks in their illustrious history today as they came face to face with French giants Toulouse.

A capacity 36,000 crowd packed into Le Stadium de Toulouse – a so-called neutral venue – as two major powers in the European game locked horns.

Munster were bidding to reach their third final in four seasons, having lost to Northampton at Twickenham (2000) and Leicester in Cardiff last year, and they arrived with the scalps of Leicester and Gloucester both safely collected this term.

Coach Alan Gaffney fielded the same starting line-up on duty for the 20-7 quarter-final victory over Tigers a fortnight ago, and Munster were roared on by more than 10,000 travelling fans who made their voices heard during a frenzied pre-match build up.

Toulouse, the 1996 European champions, sensed that this could be their year, and their star-studded team, including Irish international flanker Trevor Brennan, went into battle as firm favourites.

Heavy early morning rain cleared in time for kick-off, and despite overcast skies and the floodlights being switched on, there was a hint of watery sunshine as the teams ran out.