O'Gara lays it on the line for Munster

Ronan O’Gara believes Munster must heed the painful lessons of their two previous Heineken Cup final appearances if they are to overcome the competition’s “sleeping giants“.

Munster will meet Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium on May 20 in a clash between two teams with strong European pedigrees who have yet to be crowned champions.

Final defeats in 2000 and 2002 have confined Anthony Foley’s side to the bridesmaid role while Biarritz have crashed out in the semis for the last two years.

The huge number of supporters that will descend on Cardiff will give Munster an advantage while their fiery pack should have the measure of their robust Basque counterparts.

But O’Gara has added a sobering voice to the jubilation that has engulfed Limerick by declaring their toughest assignment yet lies in wait at the Millennium Stadium.

“The hard work begins now. We’ve been to two finals and we haven’t produced the goods yet,” he said.

“The most important thing now is that we keep our heads before the final. People will think it’s easy now but that’s where we’ve fallen down twice before.

“Biarritz are the sleeping giants of this tournament. They’re a quality outfit who have been cruising in third gear and beating teams.”

English clubs Sale and Bath have come unstuck in San Sebastien during this season’s knockout stages, victims of Biarritz’s efficient but ugly style.

Both sides could have triumphed at the Estadio Anoeta and Munster, who fill field a more combative pack than either of them, must fancy their chances on neutral ground.

Their 30-6 demolition of Leinster yesterday was a tremendous display and while the scoreline was flattering, there was no disguising the number they had done on their bitter rivals.

Paul O’Connell and Anthony Foley spearheaded the forward assault while O’Gara masterminded victory from the comfort of the armchair provided by his pack.

A repeat performance should be enough to dispatch Biarritz and Leinster scrum-half Guy Easterby is in little doubt over who the 2006 Heineken Cup winners will be.

“I expect Munster to win. I know Biarritz are a fantastic side but they haven’t played that well this year,” he said.

“They’ve scraped a few close results and I fully expect Munster to win.”