The first game on Sunday sees Munster play Ulster at Thomond Park, Limerick, and will be refereed by frenchman Roman Poite. The two sides have never met before in Heineken Cup history, a surprising statistic when you consider that Munster have been Champions twice while Ulster have also been crowned top dogs before. Munster curently lie third in their domestic league, while Ulster are fifth (but both have very similar records). On paper therefore, it should be an even contest. Ulster will be worrying though that Munster have shown an ability to up their performance for Europe. They may have lost convincingly at home to Leinster last weekend by 18 points to 9, but they also lost before rounds 3 and 5 in the pool stages, where they bounced back to beat the Scarlets and Castres. Also, in Ronan O'Gara they have a flyhalf who can seize the moment, as Northampton Saints can attest to. Munster's gameplan of using their forwards and kicking for territory is also perfectly suited for knockout competition. Ulster will have to be able to take them on up front and try to gain parity at least, if they have any serious hope of creating an upset.On the team news front, Munster have brushed off concerns that centre Keith Earls would miss this titanic clash after he had limped off against Leinster on Saturday. Captain Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan and Connor Murray all sat out the weekend's game but should be fit for action too. Ulster looseforward Stephen Ferris unluckily misses selection as an injury picked up against Aironi in the Pro 12 ruled him out.
Who have they faced to get this far?
Munster: Northampton, Castres, Scarlets
Munster finished top of their group, winning all six of their games with some heart-stopping performances on the way. Flyhalf Ronan O'Gara's succession of last minute drop goals and wing sensation Simon Zebo's tries were the standout performances and were the principle reasons behind the exit of last year's finalists Northampton.
Ulster: Clermont, Leicester, Aironi
Ulster finished second in their group behind Clermont Auvergne, knocking out perrennial challengers Leicester in the process. They won four of their six games, only losing away from home against Leicester at Welford Road and away to Clermont. There is no shame in that when you consider Clermont have just notched up their 40th consecutive victory at home under coach Vern Cotter. Can Ulster pull out the big victory out of the bag they need away from home against Munster?
The Players' Perspective
Munster Coach Tony McGahan:
“It’s not a perfect way to go into next weekend. But we have huge respect for Ulster and where they’ve come from and where they are at this point in time. They’re certainly the real deal and they’ll come here with a lot of confidence. The interesting factor is that both sides really haven’t played each other at full strength for a long period of time, so we may not have as much familiarity as we do with Leinster.”
Ulster bound Tommy Bowe (represented them between 2004 and 2009):
"Ulster are looking really exciting at the minute and things are going really well there.They are having a great laugh and it is a real opportunity for them to step up to the next level.They won the tournament in 1999 and if they can hold on to their players.they are certainly building back towards that level.They have some really talented boys coming through, a good core of foreigners along with the youngsters which is a good blend, and a new coach coming in next year who will look to bring his own emphasis. I would hope Ulster could do it but it is going to be very difficult. Munster have a good track record at home, especially in the Heineken Cup, and they always seem to find that little bit extra.They have a habit of winning down there and they certainly feed off a passionate crowd."
Ulster Lock Johann Muller:
"We know their pack will want to dominate.They are a great scrummaging side and they have a great line-out. We have got to match them or we will lose. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals are all about the small things. It is all about making sure you do the little things really well. Normally if you do that, the scoreboard and the result will look after itself. Obviously first phase is key, especially against a side like Munster."
Dumptackle Prediction
This is going to be one hell of a battle. The struggle for territory will be very important and one senses that Munster's ferocity in the pack as well as there knowhow will pull them through this game. Surely O'Gara couldn't do it again with a last minute drop goal? Never bet against it, Munster seem to be able to deliver when it matters in Europe. With inspirational captain Paul O'Connell back, Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God, Munster will have their talisman at the helm when they need him most. As Johann Muller said, at this stage it's all about the small things, and that is what Munster does so well. For that reason Dumptackle is predicting a fiercely contested game, with Munster coming out on top by 3 points.
For more stats and team news, have a look at Ruggerblogger's post as found below:
http://ruggerblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/heinken-cup-quarter-finalists-squad.html
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