Ulster face wounded Munster as Leinster expect to storm into semis

By Ian Cusack

As Irish rugby fans try to banish memories of a humbling Six Nations defeat to England in Twickenham, the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup offer a timely reminder that Irish provincial rugby is at an all time high.

Not only did this season mark the first Heineken Cup to feature all four Irish provinces, it has also produced a quarter-final fixture list which includes three Irish outfits for the first time in the competition’s history.

But something has to give this weekend as Ulster travel to fortress Thomond on a mission to overpower what has been an unpredictable and inconsistent Munster team, and reach what would be their first Heineken Cup semi-final since winning the tournament in 1999.

A Thomond Park defeat to Leinster in the PRO12 last weekend was an unsavoury event for the Munster faithful to witness. But back-to-back home defeats to local rivals is unthinkable and Ulster are much more likely to find their opponents baying for blood than licking their wounds.

The most surprising aspect of Leinster’s 18-9 win last weekend was the apparent ease with which they brushed Munster aside. In years gone by no team would come away from Limerick victorious with any blood, sweat or tears to spare.

As Leinster’s star-studded replacements took the game further away from their hosts last Saturday there seemed to be an air of inevitability about the result, not just among the supporters but among the Munster players.

The return of Paul O’Connell provides an immeasurable boost for Munster.

He will not have been sitting comfortably as Leinster outclassed his teammates last weekend and he will be determined to lead by example on Sunday.

Neither Tomas O’Leary nor Duncan Williams made an impression in Murray’s absence and his return to the team will provide further reassurance.

Donnacha Ryan has made the jump from peripheral figure to team leader this season and for him to return alongside O’Connell means a guaranteed rise in physicality up front.

The inclusion of Ferris is equally huge for Ulster. The flanker’s sheer aggression can create go forward ball from a standing start and his ferocity in the tackle will be vital in countering the early intensity Munster will be looking to impose.

Three of Ulster’s four tries in their 33-17 drubbing of Munster in Ravenhill this season came from their backs and their starting XV seems to possess a greater threat in this department.

Munster aren’t without their own weapons out wide with Simon Zebo and Felix Jones liable to create something out of nothing, but Ulster’s backline has had a familiar look all season and at times they have combined seamlessly.

The elusive Paul Marshall is likely to make an appearance at some stage, pushing Ruan Pienaar into fly-half, further strengthening Ulster’s running threat.

Munster’s lineout capitulated against Leinster and McGahan has chosen to give Mike Sherry a chance from the start meaning a change at hooker and a new lock pairing from last weekend’s performance.

The scrum was also fighting a losing battle until the entrance of Wian du Preez who starts on Sunday, but Ulster will still fancy their chances of attacking their hosts at both set pieces on Sunday.

Despite all their apparent flaws, this Munster team are six from six in this year’s Heineken Cup, proving that this team have not lost the Munster ethos, that winning mentality which has seen them dominate Europe over the past decade.

Their most impressive performance of the season came when their backs were up against the wall in stadium:mk against last year’s finalists Northampton.

Despite a vastly inferior scrum, Munster summoned a performance which saw them hit the English side for 51 points.

If Munster can recreate that intensity, with the backing of a packed Thomond Park, Ulster will struggle to find an answer. If the home side are even slightly off the pace the visitors will smell blood.

It could not be more finely poised.

As for the defending champions, they face a Cardiff Blues team whose preparations for this massive encounter could hardly have been worse.

The media frenzy around the decision to sack Gavin Henson has been an unwelcome distraction for the club and seems to have overshadowed the fact that the Blues must face Leinster without star center Jamie Roberts.

Henson’s departure may have made for an entertaining story but in reality he was never likely to be more than a substitute in the Aviva on Saturday, but the loss of Roberts is huge, especially given the absence of Welsh skipper Sam Warburton and club captain Paul Tito.

Wales may have won the Grand Slam but Cardiff provide a perfect example of the trouble their domestic game is in. Casey Laulala, Gethin Jenkins, Tau Filis, Richie Rees, Dan Parks and Rhys Thomas will all leave the club in the summer for bigger salaries elsewhere.

Forwards Coach Justin Burnell has suggested this impending exodus has motivated the departing players to leave on a high by steering the team to success, but the reality suggests this team has already fallen apart.

Their 31-3 humiliation at the hands of the Warriors last weekend means the Blues have now lost four of their last five league encounters while their move to a bigger home venue in the shape of Cardiff City stadium has served only to highlight the dwindling numbers attending their games.

With so many negatives surrounding Cardiff ahead of the quarter-final, it would be easy to overlook the strengths they still possess.

Notwithstanding the absence of Roberts, the Blues boast a backline powerful enough to threaten any defence in Europe.

Tom James and Alex Cuthbert provide the threat out wide with Leigh Halfpenny completing an all-international back three while Munster-bound centre Laulala is partnered with Dafydd Hewitt in a bulky midfield.

Up front they have one of the best looshead props in world rugby in the shape of Jenkins, backed up by Bradley Davies in second row and the wily Martyn Williams keeping company with a rampaging Xavier Rush in the backrow.

Even allowing for their strengths, Cardiff will need something special to overcome a Leinster team who could not be better positioned to drive on for more success this season.

Leaders Cullen and O’Driscoll have returned with the latter completing 80 minutes last weekend. They’re on course for a home semi-final in the

PRO12 and remain unbeaten in this season’s Heineken Cup.

Predictions: Cardiff will cause Leinster few problems as the champions storm into the semis while Munster will use all their pride and experience to edge past Ulster. Toulouse will be too strong for Edinburgh and home advantage will prove crucial as Saracens overcome Clermont Auvergne.