So the final volume in the Castres trilogy looms on the Mediterenean horizon. The south of France late in April and even the setting to Munster's European Cup semi-final is a little more exotic than, say, the sharper breezes around Thomond Park.

Not that Munster wouldn't readily change venues as the Beziers venue promises to deliver a hot contest in more ways than one.

Ugo Mola, the Castres winger and this year's leading try-scorer in the competition, is no stranger to the winners enclosure in the Heineken Cup.

The renowned sevens specialist and one of the obvious cutting edges in the Castres Olympique team was part of the Tolouse side which won the competition back in 1996. On Saturday, he hopes to add to his seven try haul as Castres face into their debut semi-final.

Munster can expect temperatures of 25-30 degrees at Stade de la Mediterranee, which is significantly hotter than when they last met in their final pool game and considerably different from the team's October meeting, when Munster won 28-23.

"It is important for us that the weather is hot," said right wing Mola yesterday. "We have trained now for two weeks in the heat.

"For Munster, it is going to be much different because we think it will be as warm as 30 degrees on Saturday.

"Castres prefer to play in warm weather. Our game relies on a lot of passing and a lot of movement. Rain is no good for Castres. If it stays between 25 degrees and 30 degrees, that will suit the way we play rugby.

"I hope we can change it into a technical game, rather than one that is totally physical. That would suit me, I think.

"But it won't be a match for just 15 players. I think 21 or 22 players will be involved. The weather will be hard on the body and hard on players. I believe that substitutions will be an important feature of the match."

While Castres flopped in the French championship, the European Cup offers a chance to make a mark. But it doesn't come without baggage as the Peter Clohessy affair with Ismaella Lassissi rumbles on.

The human teeth marks on Clohessy's arm may now have vanished, but the unsubstantiated accusations of racism against the Irishman have not.

Although Clohessy's place in the front row is unlikely, the French want him in the side. "For the match it is important that Clohessy plays. If we win I'd prefer Clohessy to be there.

"He is indespensible to the team, I think and it is important that both teams are complete and are as strong as possible. For me the match is like an international and that is how the rest of the team are also looking at it."

Mola should know. Capped 12 times for France and with six international tries, he has played at full back and on the wing this season.

Latterly, Romain Teulet has played at 15 with Mola moving to 14. It was from there that he ran in a hat-trick in his side's 37-26 defeat of Bridgened in the pool stage of the competition.

"I think I am to play against (Anthony) Horgan. The first match we played was very physical. It was difficult for me because I am a light player. But he is a very good player and being physical is important for defence.

"I think both Munster wingers, Horgan and (John) Kelly are physical players. But that is the way Munster play too. The team are a physical team."

Munster doubtlessly hold similar views on Castres ability to play a physical game and the French now see themselves as representing their country as much as Munster will champion Irish hopes.

One of Molo's seven scores came against Munster in the first game when he was operating at full back, but his attitude is of a player just as comfortable playing on the flank.

"The Munster number nine and 10 are very opportunistic and the forwards make up the bulk of the Irish pack.

"Our preparation for the last few days has been to stay together, train together and watch video analysis of Munster and of Ireland, see their tactics, the way they play.

"That I believe has been important," he says before suggesting that Declan Kidney's team are almost as predictable as French arrogance.

"The more you see of Munster," says Molo, "the more it is possible that we win this match." The stalls are being set out already.