Prendergast warns of multiple Toulon threats

Kyle Sinckler of Toulon (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

As if winning at Toulon was not difficult enough, Munster will meet their Champions Cup pool rivals this Sunday coming off their worst performance of the season.

For senior coach Mike Prendergast, a rebound from last Friday’s 28-3 URC loss at Ulster is essential given a challenge which lies not just in the heft of Toulon’s forward pack but in a potentially dazzling backline. And that despite being a part of the Munster coaching ticket that secured a 29-18 bonus-point victory at the Mayol in January 2024.

“They have a very, very good home record, it's eight from eight this year,” Prendergast said. “Not many teams, I know from my own time in Top 14, coaching different clubs, going there, it was rare enough you got a win.

“You need to be completely on it. I think after our performance on the weekend, we’ll get a reaction. I've seen a reaction before from our lads. And we need to be, because you're coming against a team... (head coach) Pierre Mignoni has been in there a couple of years now, he has his squad moulded well.

“He's got a good profile to his team. He brought in a guy like (Italy centre Juan Ignacio) Brex, who is a real creator in midfield. And you can see they're playing with a lot more width. So they have the power up front. They've recruited very well over the last few years, a very, very good set-piece. They're a big French team. Sometimes when you hear that you think of players just running over guys. They're not. They can play ball.

“And when you look at their squad, going down there, the atmosphere. They have a walk-in tunnel into the ground. They're very proud people when they play at home and they don't like losing there. So you need to be really on top of your game.

“And I know it's two years ago we had a good performance (but) it's two years ago. There's a lot of players have changed. Squads have changed. But in the back of your mind, it does give you a small bit of confidence there.” Prendergast continued: “They have a couple of injuries, but they've serious depth. Brex is very good. They obviously have (Argentina’s Tomas) Albornoz, the out-half, who's after arriving.

“And to me, their heartbeat of their game is (Baptiste) Serin. He is everything for them. Crowd favourite, great player. Tempo-wise, tactically-wise, he's a massive player for them."

There are now injurt doubts over Serin, but Prendergast cites other threats. 

“Our own (former Munster centre) Antoine Frisch hasn't played much. He's been injured a lot. They've a young full-back. (Mathis) Ferte, he was playing U-20s about two years ago, small little stepper. Very, very good.

“And then up front, you've (Lewis) Ludlam, (Kyle) Sinckler. (Dave) Ribbans, for me, has been one of the best signings in the Top 14, probably, as a foreign player in a couple of years.

“So they have great balance to their team in terms of a big, powerful pack that can play. They can play overall then as well.

“We need to be right on it but that's a great challenge (and) we know we have to be right on it after a really disappointing performance."