Munster off to Paris

Munster fan's can dig out their European phrase books once again, as their heroes were drawn away to Stade Francais in the semi…

Munster fan's can dig out their European phrase books once again, as their heroes were drawn away to Stade Francais in the semi-final of the Heineken Cup.

In the other semi-final Leicester entertain Gloucester in an all-English encounter.

The idea of a trip to Paris would appeal to most but it was surely the draw which everyone associated with the team, players and fans alike, wanted to avoid.

"It’s disappointing not to have a home draw, it’s going to be very very difficult." Said Munster captain Mick Galwey.

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"Stade Francais have been the most consistent side in the cup this year."

Munster were successful away to French opposition in the semi-final of last year’s competition when they beat Toulouse by 31 points to 25, but coach Declan Kidney feels that Stade Francais will not be as complacent going in to the fixture as perhaps Toulouse were guilty of last year.

"In last year’s competition Toulouse underestimated us, that won’t happen this year."

Kidney was disappointed that his team didn’t get home advantage and regretted the financial implications which the draw would have on the supporters would have to "dig deep" yet again.

He referred to the fact that Munster are no longer the surprise package in European rugby, a point which was re-iterated by Stade Francais fly half Diego Dominguez who saw the mouthwatering encounter as an opportunity to extract revenge for last years 27 points to 10 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Kidney’s men.

"This will be revenge for last year and we would hope to have 60,000 attending the game in Paris".

European Cup semi-final draw

Leicester v Gloucester

Stade Francais v Munster