Discipline and defence key for Munster disrupt La Rochelle's 'gratteur gang'

"So I call it the gratteur gang, and it was the first theme that I put up, usually they have four or five gratteurs in a team. La Rochelle had about 13 gratteurs across the squad and it's the same this week. I’m showing lads clips this morning and in one phase of play they'll have six or seven bites off it and they’re very good at it."

DISCIPLINE: Discipline is key for Munster this weekend when they take on Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle. Pic:©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

The travelling supporters have gathered, the bars and squares of La Rochelle have been turned red and Munster will head towards a sold-out Stade Marcel-Deflandre with confidence high as they gear up to lock horns with Ronan O’Gara’s side.

The omens are good, with Stade Rochelais having failed to win their last eight matches and visitors’ own form having turned a corner in recent weeks with the return of a phalanx of internationals and fit-again players following long-term absences.