RUGBY: But for a freakish last-minute penalty via two pieces of woodwork from his own half by Leicester's Tim Stimpson, tonight's Celtic League opener at Stradey Park would have been a re-run of the European Cup final. Accordingly, an anticipated crowd of 6,000 plus will welcome Munster to the Llanelli coalface for the start of the Alan Gaffney era. Talk about hitting the ground running.
Llanelli v Munster Stradey Park (7.05).
Munster's preparations have been less than perfect. Peter Clohessy's retirement, a triple whammy of long-term injuries and only coming together this week, all this has been compounded by the withdrawals of John O'Neill and Jim Williams, and last night's withdrawal of the injured Frankie Sheahan. The loss of the former Brumbies and Wallaby back-rower must especially be a blow, for as Gaffney's new captain Williams would have been the main on-field lieutenant when implementing the new coach's methods. Still, a Halvey-Anthony Foley-Alan Quinlan back row does have a certain ring to it.
By comparison, though missing captain and centre Leigh Davies, Chris Wyatt and the American duo of Luke Gross and Dave Hodges on World Cup qualifying duty, the inclusion of Scott Quinnell alone looks like a statement of intent. He and the Easterby brothers are among Llanelli's 11 internationals, thereby pitching Guy Easterby against Peter Stringer in an interesting sub-plot for the watching Eddie O'Sullivan.
The Irish coach's main focus of attention, however, is likely to be Rob Henderson, who is vying for the Irish number 12 jersey with Kevin Maggs (in action for Bath away to London Irish tomorrow). Henderson will assuredly have benefited from a tour-less summer and a chance to put in a proper pre-season.
Beaten by Munster in the quarter-finals last year, Llanelli won't lack for motivation and their preparations must have been fairly seamless by comparison. Yet the return of the six Irish squad members must have given Munster a lift, and even with such little time together, as Alan Gaffney states, "we all know how deep these guys can dig when you throw adversity against them."
The similarities between the two sides go beyond their red jerseys. Both are cussedly difficult to break down and must be hell to play against - witness last season's quarter-final in Thomond Park when Munster could establish little rhythm or flow to their game, and had to dig deep to eke out a 13-6 victory.
In their big games last season Llanelli tended to use Scott Quinnell as a chief battering ram, setting up close-in targets rather than using much width, and mainly relying on Stephen Jones for points. But Gaffney is not so sure they'll adhere to those tactics this time, and with attacking Wales A centre Matthew Watkins making his debut after his summer move from Newport, they may be more expansive.
Nevertheless, given inevitable ring rustiness and the fastidious Iain Ramage as referee, this encounter is unlikely to flow like a river either, and another tough, sleeves-rolled-up affair seems probable. No two ways about it then, a toughie for Munster first up.
LLANELLI: G Evans; M Jones, M Watkins, M Cardey, S Finau; S Jones, G Easterby; I Thomas, R McBryde, M Madden, V Cooper (capt), P Clapham, S Easterby, S Quinnell, I Boobyer. Replacements: J Davies, M Thomas, B Griffiths, D Jones, D Peel, G Bowen, B Davies.
MUNSTER: D Crotty; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, M Lawlor; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, J Blaney, J Hayes, M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan, E Halvey, A Foley, A Quinlan. Replacements: J Boland, S Kerr, M Galwey, C McMahon, D Malone, J Staunton, J Holland.
Referee: I Ramage (Scotland).
