Compiled by JOHNNY WATTERSON

Picture perfect in Limerick

FOR THOSE who cannot travel to Cardiff, a 40sq metre big screen will be erected at the junction of O'Connell Street and Mallow Street to bring the final live to Limerick. "It will have a swivel screen and be 21ft higher in the air than the last big screen (2006). This will allow the match to be projected further down O'Connell Street," said an organising official.

Bonus points prove crucial

IT HAS taken Munster and Toulouse eight matches to get to this stage in the competition. But neither team has won all of their matches in the pool stages, which began in November of last year when Munster lost by a point to Wasps (24-23), securing what would be a priceless bonus point.

Munster lost for a second time away to French side Clermont (29-16) again earning a crucial losing bonus point.

Toulouse also lost twice in the group stages, firstly to Leicester (14-9) but surprise, surprise gained a bonus point.

Their second defeat came from Leinster (20-13), whose beefed up pack did much of the damage at the RDS. The moral of the tale is that in the Heineken European Cup you can lose, just don't lose badly.

Sound advice

SHANNON AIRPORT Authority has been offering some advice to the thousands of Munster supporters leaving to go to Cardiff today and tomorrow. They are advising that those travelling to the airport by car allow sufficient time for parking in the remote car-parks.

Passengers should plan to turn up at check-in two hours prior to flight departure. Departing passengers should note that a new hot food outlet is now open in the departures lounge, after security screening.

Head to head

MUNSTER v TOULOUSE

ERC ranking: 1 v 2

Ranking points: 29 v 28

Cup Wins: 1 v 3

Cup finals: 3 v 4

Cup matches: 92 v 93

Match wins: 64 v 66

Cup points: 2332 v 2780

Cup tries: 239 v 308

Head to Head: 1 v 2

Tales of the unexpected

SUCH IS the range and commitment of the species known as "The Munster Supporter" that a book is currently in the pipeline. Emer Lovett, the book's author, wants people to come forward with their stories of being a foot soldier of the marching Red Army.

She asks have you rescheduled a First Holy Communion so that you don't miss a Munster match? Have you sold a cow to finance your trip to an away match? Have you sailed to Cardiff, travelled to the other side of the world to sing the Fields of Athenry in a foreign stadium, skipped a family wedding to attend a Heineken European Cup final?

If you answer to yes to any of the above then you are one of the species and Emer would love a call at (086) 8238807.

 Experts differ

"I am going for Munster - and not just because they beat us in the semi-finals. I am going for Munster in a tight match because they have been to the Millennium Stadium before and won the Heineken Cup, they are familiar with the ground and the place is going to be a sea of red with their fanatical supporters."

- Neil De Kock the South African scrumhalf and captain of Saracens.

"Both teams have many international players and great European pedigrees. I spent many years in Toulouse as a player and of course my heart tells me that they will win. Toulouse are having an amazing season, not just winning games but winning them in style. The teams are so close it is going to be a really tight final and decided by small details."

- Yann Delaigue, a Heineken cup winner with Toulouse in 2003.