Heineken Cup preview: Biarritz v Munster
This weekend’s second Heineken Cup semi-final will also be contested between a French team and an Irish side. With Irish-French relations in sporting circles still rather frosty following last year’s football World Cup qualifier, this weekend’s European Cup matches aren’t likely to improve matters. Biarritz v Munster could certainly be a tasty one.
In a re-run of the 2006 Heineken Cup Final, which Munster won 23-19, Biarritz will be intent on gaining revenge for that bitter defeat. It may have been four years ago, but the pain of that afternoon is still strong in the hearts of those French fans who witnessed the action first-hand from inside the Millennium Stadium.
This time, Munster must travel to San Sebastian in order to book their place in a fifth Heineken Cup Final. Such a feat would put them alongside Toulouse and Leicester Tigers as the competition’s most successful teams; and if they get there, they could well face Toulouse in a repeat of the 2008 final.
Neither club has really had to excel themselves to reach this stage of the tournament, but both will have to step up a gear this Sunday to seal their spot in next month’s final.
Biarritz breezed to quarter-final qualification by finishing top of Pool Two, ahead of Gloucester, Glasgow Warriors and Newport Gwent Dragons. The Top 14 side’s formidable home form saw them rack up three emphatic victories in the group stages, including a 42-15 win over Guinness Premiership outfit Gloucester.
They came perilously close to defeat in the previous round, however. Against Ospreys at the Estadio Anoeta, a late surge from the Magners League side so nearly earned them the share of the spoils and a place in the last four. Biarritz, somehow, managed to withstand the late pressure to book their place in the last four and will need to guard against complacency this weekend to avoid a similar scare.
Munster head into this semi-final lower down in the table than Ospreys, but their experience on the European stage will undoubtedly work in their favour this Sunday.
A 33-19 demolition over high-flying Northampton Saints in the quarter-finals clearly outlined the class of rugby the Irish side are capable of producing on their day. However, that was at Thomond Park, and questions remain over whether or not they can display their best form away from home.
Certainly in the group stages, Munster largely proved that they could. Barring a slip-up against Northampton in the opening match of the Heineken Cup, the reigning Irish champions were dominant both at home and away.
Tony McGahan’s men also proved they could travel to France and win, beating Perpignan by 37 points to 14 back in December.
With both teams in slightly sketchy form in their domestic leagues at present, this match has a degree of unpredictability about it. Both clubs may also have to make do without a key player each.
For Biarritz, France star Damien Traille looks certain to miss out after aggravating a shoulder injury last weekend; and for the Magners League side, lock Paul O’Connell is rated as a major doubt.
Expect the unexpected in San Sebsatian this weekend, it promises to be a thriller.
Prediction: Heroic Munster seal narrow victory and their place in the Heineken Cup Final.
Tags: